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.

Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

ROGER FENTON (1819-69)

Lady Harriet Hamilton (1834–1913) as Mary, Queen of Scots

12 - 12 May 1854

Salted paper print | 19.6 x 13.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2906576

Photograph of a full length portrait of Lady Harriet Hamilton (1834-1913), standing, facing right. She is captured in profile. Lady Hamilton is dressed as Mary, Queen of Scots. She poses with her left hand resting on a pile of books, positioned on a table. Lady Hamilton wore the costume at Countess Walewska's Ball.
  • Creator(s)

    Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Harriet Georgiana Louisa Hamilton (1834-1913)
    Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-87)
  • annotation: The Lady Harriet Hamilton/ as Mary Queen of Scotts/ w. dress she wore at Css: Walewska's Ball/ May 12 1854/ Fenton. [beneath photograph, In Queen Victoria's hand ]

  • 19.6 x 13.8 cm (image)

    28.2 x 22.9 cm (page dimensions)

  • Lady Harriet Hamilton as Mary, Queen of Scots, which dress she wore at Countess Walewska's Ball, May 12 1854 [Photographic Portraits. Vol 1/59 (1853-1857)]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Industries, Crafts and Trades
        • Toys and Decorations
          • Theatrical costumes
            • Costume-Fancy Dress
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • History of costume
            • Costume-Historical
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
        • albums
          • photograph albums