A black and white landscape photograph showing a temporary, decorative arch in Sri Lanka. An image of the duke in military with a plumed hat under his right arm appears between banners reading ‘WELCOME / TO /’ and ‘HRH DUKE OF GLOUCESTER’. The arch has three gateways, a larger central opening with smaller one on each side. It is probably made from fabric and features various decorative patterns and heraldic lions. Two rickshaw operators holding the shafts of two empty pulled rickshaws are standing under the arch. Another rickshaw can is visible under a tree to the left of the image. Other Sri Lankan people can be seen through the gateways, including a woman carrying something on her head and others standing under the canopy of what may be a railway station. An advertisement can be seen on the way of this building to the right of the image.

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was bother to Edward VIII and George VI. He visited Sri Lanka in 1942 as part of a wider wartime tour.

Other temporary, decorative arches built for royal visits to other parts of the British Empire can also be found in the collection (for example ALB0319.88 and ALB0319.90).