Cairo to Constantinople
Early Photographs of the Middle East
Seen through the photographs of Francis Bedford (1815-94), the first photographer to travel on a royal tour, it explores the cultural and political significance Victorian Britain attached to the region, which was then as complex and contested as it remains today.
The tour took the Prince to Egypt, Palestine and the Holy Land, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey and Greece where he met rulers, politicians and other notable figures, and travelled in a manner not associated with royalty – by horse and camping out in tents.
On the royal party’s return to England, Francis Bedford’s work was displayed in what was described as ‘the most important photographic exhibition that has hitherto been placed before the public’.
Cairo to Constantinople: Early Photographs of the Middle East is presented alongside Gold at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace.
Events programme
Exhibition Highlights
Francis Bedford (1815-94)
In the Hall of Columns, Karnak [Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Amun, Karnak]
Francis Bedford (1815-94)
Pyramids of Cheops and Cephrenes [The Great Pyramid and the Pyramid of Khafre, Giza]
Francis Bedford (1815-94)
[Antiquities from Rhodes, purchased by the Prince of Wales]
Francis Bedford (1815-94)
Mosque of Tophana [Mosque of Nusretiye, Istanbul, Turkey]
The Prince of Wales's Journal: 6 February - 14 June 1862
The Prince kept a handwritten journal of his travels.
Video: In conversation with...
Writer and broadcaster John McCarthy talks to exhibition curator Dr Sophie Gordon
Podcast: Precursors to the Prince, the grand tour in the Ottoman Empire
Dr Philip Mansel explores the reasons for the British Grand Tour
Podcast: Archaeology Among the Ruins
How did photography effect the emerging science of archaeology?
Conservation of an ancient Egyptian funerary stela
This piece from the 3rd century BC needed treatment before it could be displayed
Explore further photographs by Francis Bedford
Explore more of Francis Bedford's work in the Royal Collection
Cairo to Constantinople: Francis Bedford's Photographs of the Middle East
The book to accompany the exhibition
Map & directions
By train
The nearest train stations are London Victoria (10 minute walk) or London Charing Cross (20 minute walk).
Visit National Rail Enquiries for times and fares.
By underground
The nearest tube stations are Victoria, Green Park, St. James's Park and Hyde Park Corner (all approximately 10 minutes walk).
For further information visit the Transport for London website.
By coach / bus
Bus numbers 11, 211, C1 and C10 stop on Buckingham Palace Road. Victoria Coach Station is a 10-minute walk from the Palace.
For further information visit the Transport for London website.
