2-995-802 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Inauguration of the National Rifle Match - the Queen receiving the address of the National Rifle Association, 1860. Shooting competition on Wimbledon Common in London, '...in the presence of several thousand spectators. The Queen attended in state; her Majesty being accompanied by the Prince Consort, the Prince of Wales, Prince Arthur, Princesses Alice and Helena, and the Dukes of Cambridge and Saxe-Gotha. Shortly after the arrival of the Royal party, Mr. Sidney Herbert, accompanied by Lord Elcho, the Hon. Arthur Kinnaird, and other members of the council of the Rifle Association, presented an address to her Majesty explanatory of the objects for which the match was held...The Royal party returned to the pavilion, where they remained for a considerable time. At last the carriages were again ordered, and the Queen visited the butts in succession, the Royal presence being the signal for the practice to commence. The sharp report and the sudden "ping" was then heard in quick succession, and was continued until eight o'clock, when it terminated for the day, a salute of artillery indicating both the commencement and the finish to the outer world'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.