HMY Victoria and Albert II, a 110 metre long paddle–wheel steamer, with two funnels and three masts, was launched at Pembroke Dock on 16 January 1855. She was the largest of the Royal Yachts of the Victorian era and was used until the end of the Queen's lifetime.

This painting depicts the arrival in Britain of Princess Alexandra, later Queen Alexandra (1844-1925). She had travelled from Denmark on board the Royal Yacht, arriving at Margate Roads at midnight on 5 March 1863. Here the ship anchored for the night and received a welcome address from the town's mayor the following morning. Princess Alexandra married Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (1841-1910) at St George's Chapel, Windsor on 10 March. A painting of the same subject is in the Government Art Collection (14504).

Little is known of the artist George Mears (active 1870-1910). He lived and worked in Brighton and Newhaven during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. A competent marine painter, he was appointed official artist to the London, Brighton and South Coast Railways, and as such was commissioned to paint portraits of all the cross channel steamships in the rail company's service.

A painting by Mears of the return of the Prince of Wales from India on board 'Serapis' in 1876 is also in the Royal Collection (RCIN 402077).