The painting depicts Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on board the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert which had been launched at Pembroke on 26 April 1843 and arrived in Plymouth Sound on 30 August. The Queen recorded the occasion in her Journal: ‘Indeed it was a glorious sight when we passed up the Plymouth Sound. The evening was so beautiful & the ships, the “Caledonia”, a line of Battle Ship, the “Formidable”, a Neapolitan Frigate, & the various Forts, all saluting, had a splendid effect’. The picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1844. Signed and dated: N.M. Condy / 1843. Inscribed on the back with the subject and the date: ...Augt 30th 1843 / N.M. Condy Junr Pinxt / Plymouth.