Earthenware plate transfer-printed in mauve, commemorating the return to England of Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh (1844-1900) after a cruise to the Mediterranean, South Africa and the West Indies. It is inscribed 'WELCOME PRINCE ALFRED 1861'. The prince is shown, full-length in midshipman's uniform, in the body of the plate. He stands on the quayside, flanked by tropical trees and vegetation with his ship, HMS 'Euryalus' (1853), in the background. There is a small transfer on either side showing a tropical quayside with wagons and a ship's boat. The rim is decorated with acorns, oak leaves and anchors suspended from rope swags. On the base is printed a swallow-tailed pennant inscribed 'PUBLISHED BY J.T. CLOSE'. The firm of J.T. Close was based at Church Street in Stoke-on-Trent.