Malta had been under British administration since the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. The island quickly became an important stop for ships en route to India. The Prince received a rapturous welcome from the people. He wrote: ‘Triumphal arches were put up everywhere and the people cheered and were very enthusiastic’. Malta received independence from Britain in 1964. The photograph is signed and captioned in the negative, and dated, 'F Bedford Malta', 6 June 1862. See RCIN 2861712 for another print of this image.