The Duke of Edinburgh in Australia: HMS Galatea entering between Sydney Heads and HMS Galatea arriving in Sydney

The upper print on this double page spread depicts a flotilla of ships accompanying the Duke of Edinburgh's ship, the H.M.S. Galatea ('HMS Galatea entering between Sydney Heads') . The vessels are in the open sea, preparing to enter the harbour through the notoriously difficult passage between Sydney Heads. The sea is slightly choppy, and the Galatea and the rest of the flotilla, who occupy the left of the image to the centre, do not have their sails deployed. A small boat leads the main flotilla, and has both of its sails up. On the top of the cliff, which occupies the right side of the print, is a small lighthouse and a signalling device with triangular flags on it.

The bottom print on this double page spread depicts the H.M.S. Galatea, with Union Jack ensign flags flying from the jackstaffs at the bow of the vessels ('HMS Galatea arriving in Sydney'). They have anchored in Sydney Harbour, and small rowboats have been lowered from the larger ships, and are conveying the passengers to the shore. The print shows a wide angle of the Harbour, with both shores on either side of the Heads visible. There are crowds of people gathered at various vantage points. The Governor's residence is visible centre left in the image, and the docks of Circular Quay can be seen in the centre background. The sea is calm in the harbour.

The Galatea was a steam-powered wooden frigate, of which Prince Alfred (the Duke of Edinburgh), was the captain. The journey started in Plymouth on 24 January 1867 for a voyage round the world. As he was the first English prince to visit Australia, he was greeted with tremendous enthusiasm. During his stay of nearly five months he visited Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Tasmania. While he was in Australia, there was an attempt made on his life: on 12 March 1868, while picnicking in Sydney in the beachfront suburb of Clontarf, he was wounded in the back by a revolver fired by Henry James O'Farrell. The Prince was shot just to the right of his spine, but survived. Following this, it was decided a memorial to the event would be raised, and the subscription which resulted provided the funds for the founding of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.