The signatories comprised all the great European powers of the era, and the treaty was interpreted as a guaranteed right of passage of all ships through the Suez Canal during war and peace.

In 1879, the United Kingdom and other Great Powers forced the removal and exile of Isma'il and his replacement as Khedive by his son, Tewfik Pasha.

The British victory in the ensuing Anglo–Egyptian War resulted in Britain acquiring physical control over Egypt, including the Suez Canal.

[2]France accepted the reservation but, in accordance with international law at the time, noted that made the treaty a "technically inoperative" "academic declaration.

On 5 August 1914, at the beginning of the First World War, Egypt, under the nationalist Khedive Abbas Hilmi II, declared that the Canal would be open to ships of all nations.

However, the United Kingdom subsequently deposed Abbas; replaced him with his uncle, Hussein Kamel; and declared the re-establishment of the Sultanate of Egypt as a British protectorate.