Commemorative Album of Views. The Royal Highness The Duke & Dutchess of Cornwall & York, (Prince ...

Illustrated title page and 64 collotype photographic plates and the original programme reproduced in collotype on 33 smaller plates. Hand painted dedication to the verso of the fep: 'C.J.Sherrat with the General Manager's and C.W.F. Harrison's Compliments.' Most images captioned in the negative. "Arrival at the Point, Presentation at the Point, preparing to leave the Point, Russel Street and West Street, Royal Hotel, Albert Park. Royal Train Platform at Durban. Leaving Government House for the Town Hall in Pietermartizburg, Longmarket and Church Streets in Pietermaritzburg, New Town Hall, Opening ceremony, Marble Arch, His Excellency addressing the Native Chiefs, General Post Office, Pietermaritzburg Park, Indian Arch, Royal Yacht Club Durban, and may others including a 2 page folding view of the Royal Pavilion at Pietermaritzburg. In 1901 the Duke of Cornwall and York the future King George V and his wife embarked on the longest official tour ever undertaken by the British Royal family. The tour lasted for nearly eight months and most of it was spent in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa, with brief calls at Gibraltar, Malta, Aden, Ceylon, Singapore and Mauritius. They travelled almost 50 000 miles. It became one of the great media events of its day and was viewed by contemporaries as a ceremonial occasion of great and lasting importance. At the time it was viewed as being "undertaken at the express desire of Queen Victoria, as a mark of special appreciation for the part her colonies had played in the hour of the Empire's need." However, the truth was much more complex. Her death in January 1901 changed the attitude of Edward VII, once he became king, and he did not want the tour to proceed. Eventually it was agreed that the tour would go ahead, so long as Joseph Chamberlain (Colonial Secretary) would guarantee that there was no danger to the heir to the throne. George and his wife left Britain in mid March. He was not particularly enthusiastic about visiting South Africa and at his request John Anderson, the Colonial official accompanying the royal party, wrote to Chamberlain from Aden in early May, with a request to cancel the visit to South Africa as there was a "serious outbreak of plague" in Cape Town. Chamberlain convinced them that the tour should continue, as it would create a bad impression if it appeared that the trip was cancelled due to fear, as no member of the Royal Family was supposed to be afraid. It was agreed that the Duke would go to Simon's Town, but would not land unless the plague had dissipated. Medical experts who were consulted pointed out that the risk was insignificant and that by August, when he was due to arrive, that the epidemic would be over. It was finally agreed that brief visits would be made to the Cape and Natal. There were a number of advantages to the tour. It was beginning to become more difficult to raise a significant number of troops from the colonies, as they were getting tired of the war against the Boers and this would, hopefully, strengthen their commitment to the war. As the war dragged on and the number of South African and colonial troops continued to expand, the Royal tour could express the gratitude of the Imperial government and the Crown for their participation. There was criticism in Britain at the cost of the war in terms of men and money. Political events in the Cape in December 1900 shook Chamberlain's confidence. It could be used to denounce the pro-Boers in Britain. It could be used to persuade the Boers to abandon a war they could not win and possibly begin a process of reconciliation between the Afrikaners and the British. It was agreed that a special medal would be awarded to the colonial troops for service in South Africa and that George would personally present the medals. This meant that the military ceremonies surrounding the tour assumed an unusual importance in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, but a low key was called for in South Africa. The planned visits to Pietermaritzburg and Durban, had resulted in crews working for weeks to erect ceremonial arches and decorations on buildings and along streets. Government House had extensive alterations and repairs undertaken for the 2 nights that the Duke and Duchess would spend there. In Pietermaritzburg over 8 000 flags were distributed to school children and a further 25 000 used to decorate the streets. Many private individuals also decorated their homes and businesses. Unfortunately the night before the visit, torrential rain destroyed many of the decorations. [as can be seen in some of the photos]. The rain continued for the four hours the Duke spent in Durban, but this did not deter 50 000 people from lining the streets. Special stands had been built to hold 10 000 Sunday school children (including segregated stands for 1790 Indian and 1055 native children). One of the stands was so overpacked that it collapsed. The main ceremony, lasting 15 minutes, took place at Stanley Park, where a royal pavilion had been built, containing 2 models of the coronation chair and seating for 2 000 of the prominent and distinguished business people of the city. After an address by the town council and various local organisations, the Duke thanked the people of Natal for their loyalty and patriotism and expressed his sympathy for those who mourned the loss of their loved ones. After lunch in the Royal Hotel, the women of Durban presented the Duchess with a table gong. This was made of polished Natal red ivory wood with polished ivory tusks supporting 3 pom pom shells, engraved Talani, Ladysmith and Harts Hill. They then drove off along densely packed streets to the railway station for the trip to Pietermaritzburg. The fireworks display in Durban that night, watched by 20 000 people, included images of the royal family, Lord Kitchener and other British generals serving in the war. The next day in Pietermaritzburg, the weather had cleared and the Duke opened the newly completed City Hall with a gold key (which he was given as a souvenir). Addresses were presented from the city council, also one from Johannesburg and replies made. The Duchess unveiled a mural tablet in memory of the Natal Volunteers who had fallen during the war. After lunch the Duke presented 8 VC's and a substantial number of DSO's to Imperial and Colonial troops at a function in the municipal park attended by over 10 000 members of the public. He did not present the colonial volunteers with their South African medals, as the War Office was concerned that there would be jealousy among the Imperial troops, as they were not entitled to them. The final event was a Zulu war dance with 200-300 Zulus in full ceremonial dress and their special welcome to the Duke. The next morning on their return to Durban, they inspected one of the Princess Christian hospital trains, which had arrived that morning from Pretoria, carrying wounded troops. They also visited one of the hospital ships before boarding their own ship and setting sail for Simon's Town. (Pam McFadden. The Royal Tour of 1901, www.theheritageportal.co.za)

Size: 31.5 x 46.5cm

Date Published: 1901
Publication Place: Durban

Condition: Good. Some wear and scuffing to the padded leather boards with some chipping to the card page edges.
Binding: Padded leather boards.