2-982-300 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Cherbourg Fetes - the Royal Yacht passing the Needles, 1858. Queen Victoria travels to France. 'On Thursday week the Victoria and Albert, on her way to Cherbourg, was seen from Cowes coming down the roads at twenty minutes past twelve o'clock. The Royal standard was run up to the mast of the Royal Yacht Squadron-house, and the vessels in the roads soon followed the example. As the Victoria and Albert passed, with the standard of England flying from the main, the Admiralty flag at the fore, and the union jack at the mizen, all the flags were dipped in honour of the Sovereign. At twenty-five minutes past twelve o'clock the yacht came abreast of West Cowes Castle, and at this moment the Medina steamer, from Southampton, came alongside with a numerous party on board, who loudly cheered her Majesty as she passed. Her Majesty remained on deck, near the paddle-box, and gracefully acknowledged the salutations she received. The Royal yacht then steamed up the Solent towards the Needles'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.