Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale: an address by Queen Victoria on his death. Process print, 1892.

Facsimile of Queen Victoria's hand-written address to her subjects on the death of her grandson, within an allegorical border designed by Poynter. Above centre, the royal arms. Two angels lift a drapery to reveal the queen's eulogy. Below them, on the left Britannia proffers a wreath towards the eulogy, while on the right fame and the arts broadcast his virtues. Bottom right, a flourishing rose tree, representing his life, and left, a dead rose tree, representing his death. In the lower left and right corners, putti display attributes of the sea and the land respectively

Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale, eldest son of King Edward VII and heir to the throne. "His health had been undermined by heavy drinking, gout, and probably venereal disease; his dissipated lifestyle was unrelieved by any serious interests. He was said to be a regular patron of a homosexual brothel in Cleveland Street, central London, raided by the police in 1889, though his apparent involvement was kept a closely guarded secret for many years afterwards. He was also suspected, albeit on the flimsiest evidence, of being Jack the Ripper, responsible for murdering several East End prostitutes in 1888 ... the duke succumbed to pneumonia, following influenza, at Sandringham on 14 January 1892. He was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor, on 20 January" (Oxford dictionary of national biography)

[London] : Published by Raphael Tuck by command of the Queen, [1892]

1 print : process print ; gravure 38.5 x 50 cm

Osborne, January 26 1892. I must once again give expression to my deep sense of the loyalty and affectionate sympathy evinced by my subjects in every part of my empire on an occasion more sad and tragical than any but one, which has befallen me and mine, as well as the nation. ... work for the good and happiness of my dear country and empire while life lasts. Victoria R.I. Edward J. Poynter fe 1892. Copyright

Wellcome Collection 2969776i