A pencil and wash drawing depicting Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, at reception held in his honour on his arrival in Calcutta on 23 December 1875. Inscribed, dated and signed: Reception of H.R.H. The Prince of Wales at Calcutta. 23rd December 1875. W^m Simpson. Also inscribed with the names of several of the prominent figures.

In October 1875, Albert Edward, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, embarked on an extensive tour of the Indian subcontinent. The Prince visited more than 21 towns and cities before returning to England in May 1876. The Prince of Wales’s tour of India was envisaged as a way of forging diplomatic links between the Indian rulers and the British Crown. The Prince exchanged gifts with each ruler he met and some of the most significant Indian works of art in the Royal Collection today were acquired during this tour.

William Simpson was a draughtsman and printmaker who worked for the Illustrated London News. He was sent by that newspaper in October 1875 to India to cover the tour made by the Prince of Wales. In 1876 over 200 of his sketches from the tour were exhibited at the Burlington Gallery; the Prince of Wales visited the exhibition and bought fifteen sketches, and Queen Victoria later saw the body of work at Windsor Castle and acquired four.