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

UNKNOWN PERSON

Francis Venables Vernon-Harcourt (1801-80)

1854

Albumen print | 10.0 x 7.6 cm (image) | RCIN 2906590

Photograph of a three-quarter length portrait of Colonel Francis Venables-Vernon-Harcourt (1801-80) seated, facing towards the left. He holds a book open, facing it towards the camera. The open page depicts an illustration. There is a window on the left side of the photograph.

  • Creator(s)

    Unknown Person (photographer)

  • Col. V. Harcourt

  • 10.0 x 7.6 cm (image)

    28.2 x 22.9 cm (page dimensions)

  • Colonel V. Harcourt, 1854 [Photographic Portraits. Vol 1/59 (1853-1857)]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

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