Plaque: Battersea Bridge
Erection date: 18/6/1887
This stone was laid by His Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales KG 18th June 1887.
Crossing the River by Brian Cookson points out that the 18th of June was a bridge-heavy day for Prince Albert Victor in 1887 - he opened Hammersmith Bridge and then came on here to lay this foundation stone. Both bridges being Bazalgette designs.
Some sources say the 23-year old prince was accompanied by his Dad, the future King Edward VII, but given the name on the stone that seems unlikely.
Site: Battersea Bridge (1 memorial)
SW11, Riverside Walk
In the collection at Yale Centre for British Art is an invitation to the event commemorated on the stone. No picture but the text includes: "METROPOLITAN BOARD OF WORKS | ADMIT THE BEARER TO THE CEREMONY OF LAYING | A MERMORIAL STONE IN BATTERSEA BRIDGE | BY HIS | Royal Highness Prince Albert Victor of Wales | on Saturday the 18th of June 1887 at 3:30 P.M."; lower center: "This Ticket Admits at the Surrey side of the Bridge only".
