The Prince of Wales visits the Duchess of Sutherland's base hospital at Calais, 14 June 1917

Photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1917.

Following the outbreak of war, the Prince (later King Edward VIII) had expressed his willingness to serve on the Western Front. The Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener, refused to allow it, citing the harm that the capture of the heir to the throne could cause. Despite this, he witnessed trench warfare first hand and often visited the front. His role in the war, although more limited than he desired, made him popular amongst soldiers.

From an album of 54 photographs that belonged to Mr Herbert Cawthorne who served with a Canadian Regiment.