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.

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Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

    ANTOINE FRANÇOIS JEAN CLAUDET (1797-1867)

    Double portrait of Prince Frederick William of Prussia (1831-88)

    1852

    Stereoscopic daguerreotype | 6.8 x 5.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2932502

    Stereoscopic daguerreotype of a young man standing looking right with his right forearm resting on the back of a carved chair. He is wearing a coat, waistcoat with watch-chain, and a white shirt with bow-tie.

    The sitter is likely to be Prince Frederick William of Prussia (later Frederick III, German Emperor, and husband of Victoria, Princess Royal, first daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert). This daguerreotype is probably the one described as 'of Pr Fred. Will.m of Prussia 1852' in the List of Daguerreotypes belonging to Her Majesty (Royal Archives, Windsor, VIC/ADDC04/2). 

    The two images are set beside each other in a slide, which is housed in a rectangular black leather case.
    Stereoscopic daguerreotypes were developed to give the illusion of a three dimensional image. This was done by viewing two identical images side by side, which the brain then combines to give the illusion of depth.

    • Creator(s)

      Antoine François Jean Claudet (1797-1867) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Frederick III, Emperor of Germany (1831-88)

    • 6.8 x 5.8 cm (image)

      8.4 x 17.4 cm (image)

      8.7 x 17.7 x 7.0 cm (whole object)

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
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