London: The King Abdulaziz Public Library, in cooperation with the Saudi Embassy in the United Kingdom, launched a photo exhibition in London showcasing a rich collection of rare historical photographs taken by Princess Alice, Queen Victoria’s granddaughter, during her landmark 1938 expedition to Saudi Arabia, where she and her husband, the Earl of Athlone, visited King Abdulaziz.

According to Saudi Press Agency, the exhibition, which opened on October 16 at the Royal Geographical Society in London and will run until November 14, was inaugurated by King Abdulaziz Public Library General Supervisor Faisal bin Muaammar. He emphasized the Kingdom’s ongoing appeal to researchers and travelers, attributing it to its unique cultural heritage, strategic location, and custodianship of the two holy mosques. These elements, he noted, inspire intellectual curiosity and a desire to understand Arab societies.

Faisal bin Muaammar highlighted that despite the challenges of her nearly three-week journey, Princess Alice expressed admiration for Saudi Arabia’s natural beauty and documented the trip in a photo journal. The collection includes 324 rare photographs, some of which are among the earliest color images taken in Saudi Arabia.

The journey of Princess Alice is seen as a significant testament to the deep historical ties between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. These relations began with the 1915 treaty and developed into formal diplomatic relations in 1927. The King Abdulaziz Public Library, which holds the original collection of these photographs, published a special selection to commemorate the cultural exchange and highlight the depth of the relations between the two nations.