3-021-735 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales to Ireland: general view of Punchestown Races, [County Kildare], 1868. The future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra at the races. 'The party reached the grand stand at Punchestown at twenty minutes past two. There was an immense concourse of people in carriages and on foot awaiting their arrival on the ground. The Royal party took their seats in the pavilion next to the grand stand. The Princess, as well as the Prince of Wales, took a lively interest in the proceedings. The weather was brilliantly fine, and almost sultry. The racing commenced at half-past two and ended at half-past five o'clock. No serious accident occurred, although the racecourse was obstructed by the crowd pressing in front of the Grand Stand to see the Prince and Princess. The numbers exceeded those at any previous gathering there'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.