A watercolour showing the two Queens clasping hands, with the duchesse d'Orléans and Madame Adélaide behind them and Louis Philippe (in red trousers and a red sash), Prince Albert and the prince de Joinville to Victoria's right. Signed bottom left: Eugène Lami.

In September 1843 Queen Victoria travelled abroad for the first time, visiting Louis-Philippe, King of the French, at the Château d’Eu in Normandy. This was a visit of great historical significance, being the first time a British sovereign had visited France since the meeting of Henry VIII and Francis I in 1520 (known as the Field of the Cloth of Gold).

When Louis-Philippe made a reciprocal visit to Windsor the following year he brought with him a sumptuous album of watercolours as a gift for Victoria, of which this was one. Painted by leading French artists, the watercolours illustrated events that took place during the visit and the rooms Victoria and Albert occupied at Eu.