3-028-161 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Prince Alfred in Ceylon: landing of His Royal Highness at Colombo, 1870. 'H.M.S. Galatea anchored off the Fort of Colombo on March 30, the Prince landing the same evening, with every demonstration of respect from the officials and the assembled multitude. Next day the Prince held a levee, at which there was an assemblage of all classes and races: Europeans, and descendants of the various European nations that have successively ruled in Ceylon, in civil and military garbs and unaccustomed court dresses; Singhalese Modliars, in the blue coats and broad gold belts of the olden time; Kandian Headmen, with their singular pincushion coronets and crinoline-like robes; Buddhist "ascetics," in their saffron-coloured robes, too great, as the priests of Buddha, to incline their heads even to Royalty; turbaned Tamils, funnel-capped Moormen, and Malays, all flocked to do honour to the son of the common Sovereign'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.