3-074-775 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Investing the Siamese Prince Prisdang with the Royal Order of Chula Chom Klao, at the Siamese Embassy in London, 1883. 'The ceremony was performed on behalf of his Majesty the King of Siam, Chulalonkorn, by three Special Commissioners, Prince Varariddhi, Prince Sonapandit, and Prince Swasti...The Siamese dresses worn by those who took an official part except Prince Sonapandit, who wore a staff uniform, and the various military and official uniforms, had a showy effect. The proceeding began with the reading of the Royal proclamation in Siamese by the Secretary to the Mission and that of three Royal warrants authorising the investiture. The chief of the Special Mission..., having taken his stand on the dais in front of the throne, Prince Prisdang [the Ambassador here], whose dress was of cloth of gold, knelt before him. The various insignia, consisting of gold vessels set with jewels and of articles of embroidered purple velvet, were passed to the Chief of the Mission, who presented them to Prince Prisdang...the diploma was a slip of pure gold, with the Royal order written thereupon...He next attached to the Prince's breast the emblem in gold and enamels of the Family Order, and the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.