Arrival of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Eu Castle on September 2, 1843
Artist: Lami Eugène (French, 1800-1890)
Collection: Palace of Versailles, Paris, France
The painting depicts the arrival of Queen Victoria at the Château d'Eu in Normandy to meet with Louis Philippe I on 2 September 1843. Accompanied by a mounted escort, the queen is visible in the carriage with other members of the royal party. Victoria attended the Château with her husband Prince Albert and the Foreign Secretary Lord Aberdeen, as part of the growing friendship between the countries. It was the first foreign visit for the young Victoria and marked the first time a reigning English monarch had visited France since Henry VIII at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520.