ABDULLAH FRÈRES : CONSTANTINOPLE
The Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII)
1869RCIN 2107142
The Prince of Wales was only 12 years old at the time of the Crimean War, but the impact it had on him was considerable. In 1855–6 the Prince visited several exhibitions about the war, including Fenton’s photographic exhibition. He also noted in his journal every meeting with a Crimean veteran. The Prince’s interest in the war continued in the years afterwards. In 1869 the Prince, when on a tour in the Middle East, asked to visit the battle sites in the Crimea. He was accompanied by W.H. Russell, and was guided around Sevastopol by Russian officers who had fought in the war. The Prince described his experiences and thoughts in a series of letters to Queen Victoria.