Exchanging gifts

Although the official request from the United Kingdom government was that gifts should not be given to the Prince of Wales, the Viceroy of India, Lord Northbrook, recognised that the Indian rulers would still wish to present the Prince with gifts as part of Indian court tradition. He therefore suggested that these should be limited to ‘curiosities, ancient arms, and specimens of local manufacture’.

The Prince brought with him a range of presents that he could present as gifts in return. These included rings and bracelets made by Garrard and Co, the crown jewellers, commemorative medals made by Phillips Brothers, swords made by Wilkinson Sword Company, and sporting firearms from Purdey and Sons. He also took books to give as gifts – among them copies of John Nash’s Views of the Interior and Exterior of Windsor Castle.