Duke of Wellington at the Grand Review in Windsor Great Park on 5 June, 1844

Oil on canvas by (William) Henry de Daubrawa (fl. 1825-61), 1844.

Watching the review, the Duke of Wellington wears the uniform of a Field Marshal, with his orders and decorations. Tsar Nicholas I, Emperor of Russia, can be seen beyond, resplendent in his dark green uniform with red facings, and black helmet with white feathers, followed by the 17th Light Dragoons (Lancers). This regiment played a prominent part in the review, commanded by their Colonel, HRH George, 2nd Duke of Cambridge.

According to the 'The Illustrated London News': 'The Duke of Wellington (who looked in hale and hearty health) rode immediately after the Emperor, surrounded by noblemen and officers in uniform too numerous to mention. It was amusing, as the Emperor and the Duke went on side by side, to see the odd contrast in their mode of riding - the Emperor sitting forwards, with the knees more bent than our military men allow while the Duke sat in the more (apparently) careless way - half lolling, half leaning back in his saddle, as he usually does when riding in the streets of London'.

The Tsar's presence in England was not welcomed by everyone since there was great sympathy for the Polish refugees who had fled from his subjugation of their homeland. Nevertheless Queen Victoria's royal entourage, including Prince Albert, the Tsar and the King of Saxony, were greeted with cheers from the enormous crowd of spectators present.