Claudius Jacquand (1804-1878) was a pupil of Richard Fleury at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Lyon. He enjoyed painting historical and religious subjects, as well as genre scenes. From 1852 to 1855 he lived in Boulogne-sur-Mer, when he executed this picture. The greater part of his oeuvre was history painting, such as Marie de' Medici visiting the studio of Rubens (Musée de Nantes) produced in 1839. In the same year he was made a chevalier of the Legion d'honneur.

Invited to the Paris Exposition Universelle, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert arrived at Bologne by sea on 18th August 1855. They were accompanied by Emperor Napoleon III on their return on 27th August. To mark the occasion of their visit he presented the Queen with this painting. In reporting on this event a newspaper in Boulogne expressd the wish that the artist reproduce this work on a grand scale, to be hung at the Musée du Luxembourg, or at Versailles. A preparatory sketch, or ricordo by the artist, is in a private collection in London. The crowded quay at Boulogne, with the Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert II moored alongside; the Queen is greeted by the Emperor as she steps onto the gangway; a carriage awaits the arrival of the royal party.