A seascape with HMY Alberta, with Queen Victoria embarked, accompanied by Empress Eugénie and the Duchess of Sparta, passing in an easterly direction through the Fleet, which is firing a royal Salute; on the right are several yachts and other vessels.

The reign of Queen Victoria saw seventeen Royal reviews of the Fleet - the first being in 1842 and the last in 1899. Her Diamond Jubilee review of 1897 and the review of 1899 were presided over by the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) as the Queen was too frail to attend in person (see RCIN 405260).

Queen Victoria's diary entry for 4 August, 1896, written from Osborne recounts…'A very fine morning…Tea out & drove with Sophie & Ismay S. to Trinity Pier, where we embarked on board the "Alberta". The Empress joined us, & my Ladies & Gentlemen were also on board. We steamed up to Spithead, & through the really splendid Fleet. We went quite close to the large ships, amongst which was the "Blenheim". We turned & passed through the Torpedo Boats'.

A pen and ink sketch entitled 'The Osborne at Spithead, 5th Aug 1896,' is in the National Maritime Museum (PAD9595).