The sovereigns’ dinner in Ismailia

Commissioned by Ferdinand de Lesseps,
Edouard Riou (1833-1900), who was to work with Jules
Vernes for the Hetzel press, painted the Album de
l'Impératrice: Voyage pittoresque à travers l'isthme de
Suez.
The album is a collection of water-colours from life
following and commemorating the inauguration of the
Suez Canal, from the religious ceremonies of
16th November 1869 up to the crossing of the 17th-20th
November. Thousands of visitors from the world over
– of which 60 French were personally invited by the
Khedive of Egypt – took part in the festivities.
Here is shown the dinner and ball given in Ismailia
on 18^th November.

Facing, from left to right, the Russian Ambassador,
The wife of the British Ambassador, the Austrian Emperor,
the Empress Eugénie, the Prince Royal of Prussia,
the wife of the Russian Ambassador, the British Ambassador.
Facing away, from left to right: Mme X, Ferdinand de Lesseps,
Mme de la Poëze, matron of honour of the Empress Eugénie,
the Prince of the Netherlands, the Khedive Ismail,
the Princess of the Netherlands.