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

THOMAS PEARCE (ACTIVE C. 1850S)

Prince Alfred, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844-1900)

Oct 1858

Salted paper print | 8.2 x 6.3 cm (image) | RCIN 2900148

Photograph of a half length portrait of Prince Alfred, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844-1900) facing slightly to the left. He gazes ahead, away from the camera. He wears a shirt, tie, waistcoat and jacket. Photograph cropped into an oval.

  • Creator(s)

    Thomas Pearce (active c. 1850s) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)

  • annotation: Prince Alfred./ Oct. 1858./ Pearce. [beneath work]

  • 8.2 x 6.3 cm (image)

    30.8 x 24.4 cm (whole object)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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