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In January 1943, following the Casablanca Conference Churchill wanted President Roosevelt to accompany him to what he described as the Paris of the Sahara. He spoke persuasively to the president, “You cannot come all this way to North Africa without seeing Marrakech. Let us spend two days there. I must be with you when you see the sun set on the Atlas Mountains.”

The Villa Taylor was prepared for the Prime Minister and the President. Soon after their arrival Churchill insisted Roosevelt accompany him up the tower of the villa to look over Marrakech and see the changing colours of the landscape as the snow covered peaks of the Atlas Mountains were caught by the setting sun. Two of his staff made a chair of their arms and Roosevelt was lifted from his wheelchair and carried up the winding stairs to the roof-top.

Reclining on a divan Roosevelt was so taken by the scene that stretching his arm out he said to Churchill, “I feel like a sultan, you may kiss my hand my dear.”

There the two world leaders sat for half an hour enjoying the view. After dinner, they made toasts to each other, and Churchill sang, with Roosevelt joining in the choruses.

Churchill later that day painted that scene from the tower (the only painting he would attempt during the war) and gave it to Roosevelt.