The King Abdulaziz Public Library, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the United Kingdom, has launched a photographic exhibition featuring a rich collection of rare historical photographs taken by Princess Alice, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, during her exploratory journey to Saudi Arabia at the end of 1357 AH and the beginning of 1358 AH (1938 AD) with her husband, the Earl of Athlone. She was the first member of the British or European royal family to visit the Kingdom during the reign of King Abdulaziz, may he rest in peace, and she and her husband had the honor of meeting him and members of the royal family.

The exhibition, which opened at the Royal Geographical Society in London on October 16 of this year, will run until November 14.

His Excellency the General Supervisor of the King Abdulaziz Public Library, Mr. Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muammar, explained that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has always been a destination for researchers and travelers from both East and West, owing to its unique civilization, strategic location, close connection to the history of Islam, and its hosting of the Two Holy Mosques. These factors strongly motivated travelers and Orientalists to undertake the arduous journey to the Kingdom, driven by a thirst for knowledge, political competition, and a desire to understand Arab societies from within.

He said: "These travelers left behind a highly important literary and documentary legacy. Although the degree of objectivity varies, it remains a rich source for studying the political, economic, and social conditions of the Arabian Peninsula. Among the most prominent of them was Princess Alice, granddaughter of Queen Victoria, who in 1938 undertook a rare exploratory and historic journey on the eve of the establishment of modern Saudi Arabia, accompanied by her husband, the Earl of Athlone, and her brother, Lord Frederick Cambridge. She was received in Jeddah by Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz and met King Abdulaziz Al Saud, making her the first princess from the British and European royal family to set foot on the Arabian Peninsula at a pivotal moment in its history."

Bin Muammar added: "The journey extended from the western part of the Kingdom to the east, passing through Taif, Riyadh, Al-Ahsa, and Al-Uqair, and concluded with a visit to the oil wells in Dammam, followed by Bahrain. Despite the difficulties of the journey, the princess expressed her admiration for the beauty of the landscape and documented her trip in illustrated memoirs, during which she took more than 324 rare photographs, some of which are considered among the earliest color photographs in the Kingdom, in addition to a film recording that is among the earliest known examples of television filming about Saudi Arabia."

Princess Alice’s journey stands as a testament to the depth of the historical relationship between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, which began with the 1915 treaty and developed into diplomatic relations in 1927, before expanding across political, economic, and cultural spheres on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.

The King Abdulaziz Public Library has issued a special collection of Princess Alice’s photographs to commemorate the multiple Saudi royal visits to the United Kingdom and to highlight the depth of cultural relations and exchange between the two countries.

The exhibition features rare black-and-white photographs, including some believed to be the first color photographs ever taken in Saudi Arabia. One of these photographs, which shows King Abdulaziz with the husband of the British princess, along with Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz and Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, may be the first color photograph of King Abdulaziz.

The collection of photographs taken by Princess Alice also documents the various stages of the journey from western Saudi Arabia, where the group crossed the Arabian Peninsula, to the eastern region via Taif. They traveled there by motorcade, passing through Bir Ashirah and Al-Dawadmi, and stayed at the Royal Guest Palace in Al-Badiyah on the western bank of Wadi Hanifah. They also visited Riyadh and then Diriyah.

The group’s convoy continued its journey from Riyadh toward the Kingdom’s eastern coast on the Arabian Gulf, stopping in Al-Ahsa, Al-Uqair, and then Dammam. From there, they sailed to the Kingdom of Bahrain before boarding a plane to Cairo, and then returning from there to their homeland.

Princess Alice documented her journey to Saudi Arabia, which lasted approximately three weeks, photographing many events through rare images that had not previously been published. She also produced a film and wrote her memoirs of the journey in the form of letters addressed to her daughter.

The King Abdulaziz Public Library owns the original collection of photographs taken by Princess Alice during her visit to Saudi Arabia, comprising 324 rare photographs.