In October 1844, Louis-Philippe, King of the French, stayed at Windsor as the guest of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, a reciprocal visit following the British royal couple's sojurn at the Château d'Eu (Louis-Philippe's residence in Normandy) the previous year (see, for example, RCIN 919998). This was the first time a reigning French King had visited England since the fourteenth century. A number of events took place during Louis-Philippe's stay, including this State Banquet and the King's investiture as a member of the Order of the Garter (RCIN 919793). Victoria and Albert also went on a number of excursions with their guest (RCIN 920031), who lived in England for some years during his exile at the beginning of the nineteenth century. 

Having already made a number of watercolour sketches for Victoria and Albert of the visit of the Emperor of Russia earlier in the year, Nash was again commissioned to record events from the visit of Louis-Philippe. Scenes of the royal party leaving the castle on an excursion, the presentation of the two eldest royal children to Louis-Philippe (RCIN 919792) and Victoria and the French King entering St George's Hall for the Garter Banquet, held on 11 October (RCIN 919791), are in the Royal Collection along with this watercolour. 

A version of this watercolour was reproduced as a lithograph by Nash in his publication Views of the Interior and Exterior of WIndsor Castle (1848), which he dedicated to the Queen. The introduction states: "On the various occasions when the Continental Sovereigns were entertained by Her Majesty at Windsor Castle, Mr Nash had the honour of receiving Her Majesty's commands to make Drawings of the scenes illustrative of the state and ceremony which distinguish the Royal hospitality". As well as narrative scenes such as this one, Nash's publication also included illustrations of rooms and spaces within the Castle (see, for example, RCIN 919781). A complete set of 26 watercolours, which are probably the final works on which the lithographs in the publication were based, is in the collection of Anglesey Abbey (National Trust).