Grand Vestibule: The British Monarchy and the World
The Grand Vestibule at Windsor Castle reflects interaction between the monarchy and the wider world
Dagger and scabbard
RCIN 62448
The member of the British Royal Family to visit India was Queen Victoria’s second son, Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. These 9 daggers formed part of his collection, and may have been acquired on his first tour in 1860, or during his second visit in 1869–70 as a part of a naval cruise aboard HMS Galatea. On his return, the prince displayed numerous South Asian weapons in a newly-built ‘Indian Room’ at his London residence, Clarence House. When Queen Victoria went to visit the enlarged and redecorated property in May 1875, she noted ‘2 old Drawing rooms… newly done up & full of the armour, china, & curios brought back by Affie [Prince Alfred] from abroad’.
