Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha had been groomed to become his cousin Victoria's consort long before they ever met and after his successful visit to England in 1836, it was tacitly agreed between them that they would marry. In October 1839 he returned to England for a short visit during which their betrothalwas announced, and thenwent home to Germany whilst the marriage preperations were set in hand. The wedding day having been fixed for 10 February 1840, Albert left Gotha on 28 January and was soon in Calais where he found two vessels waiting to convey him and his suite across the channel. The Admiralty packets Ariel and Firebrand were under the temporary command of Lord clarence Paget although abroad Ariel was Mr Henderson, one of the most experienced pilots in the Service. Ariel, a paddle steamer of 130 tons, had been built in 1826 for the General Post office but was renamed when the Admiralty took her over in 1837.

By the time the Prince was ready to sail the wind had freshened to half a gale and the conditions made it impossible to board Firebound. Thus, the entire party embarked in the tiny Ariel for what was to be a frightening passage lasting 5½ hours. Thrown about by hugh seas, her puny 60 hp. engine could do little to lesson the discomfort of her passengers and most of those aboard her quickly became convinced that they would never complete the crossing. Eventually, Ariel limped into dover to the cheers of a large crowd which had gathered to greet the Queen's future husband despite the appalling weather. so as not to disappoint the people, Prince Albert came on deck to acknowledge the welcome despite the effects of the severe sea-sickness from which he was suffering wretchedly. He did his best to smile but, as he admitted later, his face was "the colour of a wax candle".