| Main Performers | Baroness Burdett-Coutts - speaker |
| Orchestra or Band | Royal Caledonian School Band,
Bands of Mercy |
| Set List | 'God Save the Queen' (The National Anthem) (Royal Caledonian School Band),
Addresses,
Prize-giving (HM Queen Victoria) |
| Royal Presence | HM Queen Victoria,
HRH The Prince of Wales,
HRH The Princess of Wales,
HRH The Princess Beatrice,
HRH The Duke of Connaught,
HRH The Duchess of Connaught,
HRH The Grand Duke of Hess,
HRH The Princess Christian,
HRH The Princess Alix of Hesse,
HRH The Prince Henry of Battenberg |
| Performance Notes | This award ceremony followed the Laying of the Foundation Stone at the Imperial Institute on Exhibition Road. Queen Victoria and the Prince and Princess of Wales proceeded to the Albert Hall, where they had consented to give away the principal prizes offered by the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) for essays on the subject of 'Kindness to Animals'.
In Queen Victoria's speech she stated that 'No civilisation is complete which does not include the dumb and defenceless of God's creatures within the sphere of charity and mercy.' (The Times, 5 July 1887)
'...proceeded to the Albert Hall, Bertie walking beside me. We had to walk across the whole length of the densely crowded Hall, up to where I had stood last for the opening of the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, and here a great confusion arose, after Bertie had presented me with an Address from the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Lord Onslow one from the Society connected with the Dog's Home, for instead of my giving away 14 prizes, I only gave one!'
(Queen Victoria's Diary, 4 July 1887)
"After the ceremony at the Imperial Institute [laying of its foundation stone] the Queen proceeded to the Royal Albert Hall for the purpose of presenting the principal prizes to the student essayists of the Metropoiltan Schools, awarded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the subject being 'Kindness to Animals'. The arrival of Royalty was announced to those waiting within by the band of the Royal Caledonian School striking up the National Anthem. Her Majesty walked up the hall to the platform leaning on the arm of the Prince of Wales, bowing in acknowledgement of the salutations. As the royal party entered, the whole audience rose and sang a verse of the national anthem. The Queen having taken her seat in the golden chair, which was surrounded by baskets of flowers, a number of addresses were presented, after which various officials were presented, and Her Majesty gave the prizes en bloc. The party then left the hall amid cheering."
(The Manchester Evening News, 4 July 1887) |