In July to September 1860 Prince Alfred paid an official visit to South Africa while serving as a midshipman on board HMS Euryalus. His tour took him through the Cape Colony, Eastern Cape, Natal and the Orange Free State. The Prince, who had learnt the rudiments of photography before the visit, took with him a double stereoscopic box camera and other photographic materials and equipment. The photographs from this visit are some of the earliest surviving pictures by the Prince. Prince Alfred also made many personal family portraits, including a poignant memorial photograph showing Queen Victoria and Princess Alice with a bust of the Prince Consort in March 1862.