3-046-945 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Queen laying the foundation-stone of a monument to the late Duchess of Sutherland at Dunrobin Castle, 1872. '...her Majesty laid the foundation-stone of a monument to be erected in the Castle grounds in memory of the late Duchess, her personal friend, and Mistress of the Robes in her household...On a platform covered with red cloth, and protected by a canopy of white, the stone was placed in position. A guard of honour of the Sutherland Volunteers, in their Highland uniform, with the band of that corps, was stationed around the platform. A number of spectators - the tenantry of the Duke's estates, subscribers to this Memorial, and others - were assembled to witness the ceremony...The Queen, with an elegant silver trowel, spread the mortar, and the stone was lowered. Her Majesty then gave three blows with the mallet. The Duke of Sutherland thanked the Queen for the honour done to the family. The band of the Sutherland Volunteers played the Royal Anthem...[In the illustration,] the Duke of Sutherland, in volunteer uniform, stands opposite her Majesty. Prince Leopold, in Highland dress, stands with the ladies behind the Queen. Lord Ronald Leveson Gower stands on the steps of the platform'. From "Illustrated London News", 1872.