A pencil and wash drawing depicting Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, opening a new railway bridge for the Punjab Northern State Railways in Wazirabad (now in modern-day Pakistan), which crosses over the River Chenab, on 22 January 1876. Inscribed, dated and signed: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales riveting the last bolt on the Alexandra bridge on the Chenab. / Punjab Northern State Railway. 22nd Jan. 1876. / Wm Simpson.

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.