This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Photographs 1842-61

Albums compiled by Prince Albert, reflecting his beliefs surrounding photography

ROGER FENTON (1819-69)

'The concluding Tableau'

10 - 10 Feb 1854

Salted paper print | 15.5 x 16.3 cm (image) | RCIN 2906071

Photograph of (left to right) Princess Alice (1843-78), later Grand Duchess of Hesse as Spring; Princess Victoria (1840-1901), later Empress Freidrich as Summer; Prince Arthur (1850-1942) later the Duke of Connaught as Summer; Princess Helena (1846-1923) later Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein as 'A Spirit Empress'; Prince Alfred (1844-1900) later Duke of Saxe Coburg and Gotha as Autumn; Princess Louise (1848-1939), later Duchess of Argyll as Winter and Prince Edward (1841-1910) later King Edward VII as Winter.

Handwritten on the album page, below the photograph: 'A spirit Empress, I, before my Queen' / 'Christ loving Helena, devoutly stand'

  • Creator(s)

    Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
    Empress Friedrich, German Empress and Queen of Prussia (1840-1901)
    Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)
    Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught (1850-1942)
    Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78)
    Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)
    Princess Helena (1846-1923)
  • 15.5 x 16.3 cm (image)

  • From an album of photographs collected and arranged by Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • People
      • Children
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs