The Argus in July 1881 reported that -
On Saturday forenoon Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales, accompanied by the Rev. J. N. Dalton, visited the Botanic-gardens. They were shown over the grounds by Mr. Guilfoyle, the director, and in commemoration of their visit each of the Princes planted a palm-tree (Chamœrops excelsa) on the western buffalo grass lawn. (1)
It was in 1881, on July 2, that the palms were planted, and they have grown into attractive specimens. Trachycarpus Fortunei, commonly called the Chinese Hemp or Fan Palm, was inserted by Prince Edward [sic], and the King (then Prince George of Wales) planted a tall Hemp or Fan Palm botanically known as Trachycarpus excelsis. On the forthcoming occasion it has been decided that the most suitable memorial growth is an evergreen flowering tree called Stenocarpus sinatus. (2)
Thus in three reports we have one Prince planting a Trachycarpus Fortunei, the other Prince a Trachycarpus excelsis; the earlier report they both planted a Chamoeropa excelsa and in the history of the Botanic Gardens book they both planted Trachycarpus Fortunei. It appears that these three names all apply to the same Palm, the Chusan Palm. (4)
The following photograph appeared in The Argus, in 1923 - it shows the Palm planted in 1881 and the Stenocarpus sinatus or Firewheel tree, planted in 1920.
Who were these Princes? Prince Albert Victor and Prince George of Wales who planted the Palms in 1881 were the two sons of Edward VII (1841-1910) and Queen Alexandra (1844-1925). Edward VII was the eldest son of Queen Victoria (1819-1901). Prince Albert Victor, also known as the Duke of Clarence, was born 1864 and died in 1892 (5), and thus his younger brother Prince George (1865-1936), succeeded to the Throne after the death of Edward VII - he ruled as George V.
The Princes were only 17 and 16 years old when they visited Australia, they are pictured below.
The Prince who planted the 1920 tree was Edward (1894-1972) the eldest son of George V and his wife Queen Mary (1867-1953). At the time he was known as the Prince of Wales. His time on the Throne was short-lived; he ruled as Edward VIII, but abdicated after less than a year due to his relationship with Mrs Wallis Simpson. His brother George, then became King (known as George VI); and he was the father of Queen Elizabeth. (6)
The Botanic Gardens actually has a Royal Spade and it was used by the Princes in 1881 and the Prince of Wales in 1920, as well as the Duke of York in 1901, who planted an Indian Cedar Tree (Cedrus deodara), various Governors and Dame Nellie Melba, who planted a Golden Poplar (Populus canadensis) (7)
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