Birt Acres, utilizing his new Kineopticon, which had its debut at Piccadilly Mansions on March 21st 1896,[4][5] secured footage of the visit on the expensive 70mm film gauge.
The footage produced was described by a correspondent of the Cardiff Western Mail as follows:The roadway, lined with troops, is first seen, and then Mr Robert Forrest is to be noticed walking across the foreground.
They are seen to alight, and are received by the mayor, when they move towards the Exhibition, and at this interesting point a 'Western Mail' representative, note-book in hand, is seen to rush across the road, but just as the audience is beginning to like him the series of photographs ends.
[1][3] Despite its success, the film garnered some controversy from the press due to a recorded instance of the then-Prince Edward supposedly scratching his head.
[12] This incident did not injure Acres' relationship with the Royal Family and they would continue to collaborate in future events, such as the wedding of Princess Maud and Prince Carl of Denmark.