Many years later he remarked that one of his daughters was noticed to bear a strong resemblance to a particular portrait by Traill of Mary Queen of Scots. However it has been pointed out (by Dr Julie Watt, Edinburgh) that all Stewart and royal portraits in Holyrood Palace were painted at the same time by the same artist, and closely resembled each other, no Stewarts or royals being present at their production. It is therefore unlikely that any similarities between Jerdan’s daughter and the Queen’s portrait would indicate royal ancestry. However, Jerdan must have been delighted with such public recognition, and not made any attempt to discourage the notion of such a connection.
Last modified 16 June 2020