The presentation took place in the morning on Horse Guards Parade. The Queen presented medals to officers and soldiers from every regiment engaged in the campaign, and to naval personnel. The Times newspaper described them as 'the gallant fellows who have done their part in sustaining the honour of our country, and poured out their blood like water in its defence'. The Queen and Prince Albert stood on a dais, the Queen in a lilac silk dress, green shawl and white bonnet. Members of the Royal Family watched from a balcony overlooking the parade ground. Many of the officers in the foreground are wearing the new medal. The Queen was very moved by the occasion which she noted 'united high & low & brought all equally together as heroes … the 1st time that a simple Private has touched the hand of his Sovereign'. She was particularly affected by three men who were so severely wounded that they had to be wheeled past her. It was said that George Housman Thomas claimed that 'his great purpose was to represent every portion of his subject faithfully, and that his work in after years would be valueless if not perfectly true'. The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1858.

Signed: George H Thomas.