3-021-261 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Opening of the Royal Albert Infirmary, and unveiling the statue of the late Prince Consort, at Bishops Waltham, in the presence of Prince Arthur and the Princesses Helena and Louisa, 1865. 'The profits from the sale of the memoir and speeches of the late Prince Consort, edited by Mr. Arthur Helps, the well-known essayist and historian...have also been devoted to the funds of the Bishop-Waltham Royal Infirmary. These circumstances partly explain the presence of their Royal Highnesses Princesses Helena and Louisa, with Prince Arthur, at the formal opening of the institution, on Tuesday week, and the unveiling of a statue of their lamented father...which has been placed over the portico of the front entrance...The Prince and Princesses, being welcomed with hearty cheering, seemed much pleased with their reception, and bowed repeatedly to the bystanders...the Royal standard was drawn away from the front of the building, and the fine statue was revealed amid a flourish of trumpets...The statue is of terra-cotta, made by Mr. Blashfield...from a model by Mr. Theed, the sculptor...The building...is of red brick, in the Gothic style of architecture...The design was prepared by Mr. R. Critchlow, and the building will contain twenty beds'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.