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

AFTER WILLIAM EDWARD KILBURN (1818-91)

'Prince Alfred'

Oct 1848

Hand-coloured albumen print | 8.8 x 6.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2914255

Photograph of a full length portrait of Prince Alfred, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844-1900) as a little boy. He stands facing towards the camera and leaning against a nearby table, placing his right hand on the table's top.  He is dressed in highland costume.

Photograph is taken from a daguerreotype by William Edward Kilburn (1818-91).
  • Creator(s)

    After William Edward Kilburn (1818-91) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)
  • 8.8 x 6.8 cm (image)

  • Commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • Costume-Great Britain
            • Costume-Scotland
              • Scottish Highland Dress
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs