Born on 9 November 1841, Prince Albert Edward was the second child and eldest son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Early in 1842 he was named ‘Prince of Wales’, the title by which he was known until he acceded to the throne as King Edward VII on 22 January 1901, following the death of Queen Victoria.

As part of his broad education as heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales was sent on a four-month tour of the Middle East in 1862, planned by his parents before the death of Prince Albert in December 1861. He was accompanied by a small group of companions, including the photographer Francis Bedford.

The Prince said farewell to his mother at Windsor Castle on 6 February 1862. The tour included Egypt, the Holy Land, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece. The royal party finally returned to Windsor on 14 June.