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

GHÉMAR FRÈRES (ACTIVE 1859-94)

King Edward VII (1841-1910), when Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, and Queen Alexandra (1844-1925) when Princess Alexandra of Denmark

Sep 1862

Albumen print | 8.5 x 5.5 cm (image) | RCIN 2908070

Photograph of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (1841-1910) and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, later Queen Alexandra (1844-1925). The Princess is seated facing front. The Prince of Wales stands beside her, his right arm around her shoulders.

This photograph was an engagement photograph. The coupled were married in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on 10 March 1863.

  • Creator(s)

    Ghémar Frères (active 1859-94) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
    Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom (1844-1925)

  • annotation: 1862./ The Prince of Wales/ and Princess Alexandra of Denmark. [beneath work]

  • 8.5 x 5.5 cm (image)

    9.6 x 6.4 cm (mount)

    22.7 x 18.0 cm (page dimensions)

    23.9 x 19.4 x 5.9 cm (album)

  • The Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Denmark, 1862. [Album: Photographs. Royal Portraits, vol.49]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria

  • Subject(s)
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Social customs
          • Marriage
            • Engagement (marriage)
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • cartes-de-visite
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