In 1870, the fashionable set in Washington pulled out all the stops for the seventh child of Queen Victoria, His Royal Highness Arthur William Patrick Albrecht — called Prince Arthur by the press.

In January 1870, Prince Arthur arrived in DC. He came in on a train from New York and a large cheering crowd greeted him at the depot. Officials from the White House and the British legation met the prince and he went to the British ambassador's residence. Prince Arthur and his entourage stayed in an elegant set of apartments on the southeast side of the British embassy on the comer of I and 17th Streets. The rooms were newly furnished in a “magnificent style” fit for royalty.^[1]

Everywhere Prince Arthur went he was the toast of the city, the “lion of the capital.”^[2] His visit to the treasury department was well noted by the female clerks there, the so-called treasury girls. Lining the corridors on the Prince's tour through the building, the young ladies had a lot to say about the handsome royal; here's what the Evening Star recorded:

“Well, I declare! Is that him?” “I wish he was a clerk here!” “Well, I've seen him!”     “Why, ain't he tall?' “Yes indeed, and so slim!” “Oh, but he is really nice looking.' “Yes, because he's got stamps!”^[3]

The prince said he was “very glad to see so many ladies in good employment, both on their own account and in the interest of the city.”

Good looking and always dressed exquisitely, the royal young man also caused a stir when he visited the Congress. He sat with his entourage in the diplomatic gallery in the Senate and it only took a few minutes for the visitor's spaces to be filled, especially the ladies' side. Every Senator was in his seat, but the citizens' eyes were not on them or the currency bill, but rather on the prince. The same scene happened while Prince Arthur watched the proceedings at the House, though he said he found the congressional debate very interesting.

Being admired by ladies wasn't the only appreciation given to the British prince. General William Sherman presented the prince with his choice of two rifles; Prince Arthur chose a Winchester's repeating arm, mounted with gold, and engraved with Eve, the genius of liberty, and General Ulysses Grant on horseback. Julia Grant commissioned a magnificent bouquet of rare flowers to give to the prince. At the Navy Yard, he was received with honors and a royal salute. When Prince Arthur dropped into the First Lady's social reception, he was quickly seated next to her and began receiving visitors in his own right.

The Prince also attended dinners held by the finest in the city, most notably a state dinner at the White House. The dining room was elegantly and elaborately decorated with flags, flower wreaths, and evergreens. Included in the declarations was a full-length portrait of Queen Victoria, which the Prince could look at while he dined ... because he would want to look at his mom while eating, for some reason? Anyway, the table was heaped with flowers and “handsome confections” to complement the delicious meal.^[4]

The grand ball held in Prince Arthur's honor was called “one of the most magnificent affairs ever witnessed in this city.”^[5] The ballroom selected, that of the Masonic Temple, was 140 feet by 40 feet, and a platform was erected at one end. Guests had their choice of Ppurple and red chairs with golden stripes, as well as 200 cane seat chairs. Fragrant wreaths made of beautiful flowers hung between the enamel and gilt gas lights in the shape of crowns. An elegantly designed star of six points with ten shining gas lights was behind the specially hired Baltimore musicians. Two “splendid” American flags in the shape of shields were at the entrance of the hall, and flags of every nation hung around the rest of the room.

The prince arrived at 9:45, dressed exquisitely in the uniform of the royal rifles and emblazoned with the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in the United Kingdom. The musicians played “God Save the Queen” and he strode in with his entourage in full court dress. The president arrived with his cabinet at 10:40, accompanied by “Hail Columbia.” Following the rules of social precedence, the prince escorted the First Lady into the ball. 

When he left the city, Prince Arthur was well impressed with all he had seen and witnessed in the capital. And for good reason! It's clear Washington pulled out all the stops for this royal visit; it's a tourist's dream!