One of seven small sketches painted by Eduardo de Martino as he accompanied the tour of the Empire made by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, later King George V and Queen Mary on HMS Ophir in 1901 (RCINs 404190, 404206, 404207,405857, 405868, 406542, 402065).

On 15 March, 1901 the Duke and Duchess embarked on an extensive tour of the Empire. Their visit was scheduled to open the first Parliament of the Commonwealth Australia on 9 May (RCIN 407587), but the royal party also visited Gibraltar, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada. They set sail on HMS Ophir, an Orient Line steamship chartered by the Admiralty. Kenneth Rose, in his biography of George V, recounted that the 'Duke…noted that he and his wife were separated from home and children for 231 days; and during those eight months they covered 45,000 miles, laid 21 foundation stones, received 544 addresses, presented 4,329 medals, reviewed 62,000 troops and shook hands with 24,855 people at official receptions alone.'

This study depicts the return of HMS 'Ophir' on 1 November. She is led up the Solent by HMY 'Victoria and Albert III ', escorted by HMS 'St George' and HMS 'Juno'. The Web of Empire: a diary of the Imperial Tour' by Sir Donald Mackenzie Wallace, published in 1902, recounts the events of that afternoon:

'The start is made shortly after lunch. The Trinity House yacht, Irene, leads the way, followed by the Alberta, the Victoria and Albert with their Majesties on board, the Ophir, and the two cruisers. We pass between the two lines of the Channel Fleet, who salute, man ship, and cheer; and when we near the mouth of the harbour we see the beach, the open spaces, the streets, and the house-tops covered with a dense crowd, cheering enthusiastically and waving handkerchiefs. Nowhere have we received a more hearty welcome — and we have received hearty welcomes in all parts of the Empire — since we left here nearly eight months ago.