Following the conclusion of the Potsdam Conference on 2nd August 1945, President Harry Truman left Germany for RAF St. Mawgan in Cornwall to refuel before departing for the US. After unexpected fog prevented landing, the plane was redirected to Harrowbeer at Yelverton, Devon and not far away in Plymouth Sound, H.M.S. Renown with King George VI aboard, was moored alongside USS Philadelphia and USS Augusta. Evidently an opportunity for furthering the 'special relationship' was not missed as the King received the President on board Renown before His Majesty went across to Augusta to return the compliment.
Having previously accompanied George VI and Queen Elizabeth on their Canadian tour as offical artist in 1938, it is not unreasonable to suggest Watson Wood might have witnessed this event. Born in Berwick-on-Tweed, he began his career in Scotland before moving south to Portsmouth in 1900 where he specialised in commissions from naval officers for portraits of their ships and naval exercises.