35cm (13.7in) x 40cm (15.7in)
Bromide print. Edward, Prince of Wales mounted on one of his many steeplechasers, signed and dated on the image ‘Edward P / 1921’. Printed by photographers W.W. Rouch & Co., 161 Strand, London.
During the 1920s the Prince of Wales (afterward Edward VIII and Duke of Windsor) was ranked among the most daring horsemen in England. Having forged an impressive reputation in the hunting field for courage, determination and skill, he moved on to steeplechasing furthering the indignation of George V and Queen Mary who urged their son to abandon the dangerous sport. Unheeded Edward broke his collar bone, blacked his eyes and suffered concussion with what seemed to be alarming regularity. The Prince’s addiction to his hazardous hobby even caused the Prime Minister Ramsay Macdonald to request discontinuance. The prince stubbornly refused. Only after the near fatal illness of the King in 1928, did the he finally renounce the sport and order the sale of his entire stud.