21st Empress of India’s Lancers in Dublin 1904

An exceptionally large Edwardian photograph, 17¾ x 13¾ ins showing the regiment at a review before the King Emperor, Edward VII in Phoenix Park, Dublin. It is double mounted on grey photographer’s card but there is no photographer’s credit. The card measures 24 x 18¼ ins and is accompanied by an old backing card to which a contemporary label is pasted reading: My Regiment the 21st Lancers passing King Edward VII in a Review in the Phoenix Park Dublin 1904. The review took place on the 27th during the Royal Visit to Ireland. The King took the salute on horseback and the photographer’s position would seem to have been around the area of the salute. The Lancers are approaching that point just behind a regiment of Hussars. Mounted dragoons line the route.        may2/1

The 21st Lancers had its origins in a regiment raised by the East India Company in 1858 as the 3rd European Cavalry, composed entirely of Europeans as the Mutiny of the previous year cast doubt on the loyalty of so many Indian troops. After the demise of the Company the regiment movded into the British Army as the 21at Hussars. After three decades serving in India in 1897 it was re-designated as 21st Lancers and received the honour of being entitled the Empress of India’s.  The pale blue facings of the dress uniform echo the colour of the Star of India.