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

DR ERNST BECKER (1826-88)

Prince Arthur and Prince Alfred in Sikh Indian dress

6 - 6 Sep 1854

Salted paper print | 11.7 x 14.5 cm (image) | RCIN 2900046

Photograph of Prince Arthur, later Duke of Connaught (1850-1942) (left) and Prince Alfred, later Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844-1900) (right) sitting on a chaise longue. They both wear the costume of Sikh princes, including turbans. There is drapery behind, and hanging over right-hand end of chaise longue.
  • Creator(s)

    Dr Ernst Becker (1826-88) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)
    Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught (1850-1942)
  • annotation: Prince Arthur & Prince Alfred in Sikh Indian dress./ Osborne. 6 Sept. 1854./ By Mr Fenton. [beneath work]

  • 11.7 x 14.5 cm (image)

  • Prince Arthur & Prince Alfred, Osborne 1854 [in Portraits of Royal Children, Vol.1 1848-1854]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • Costume-Asia
            • Costume-India
          • History of costume
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Industries, Crafts and Trades
        • Clothing
          • Headgear
            • Turbans
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • England
            • Isle of Wight [England]
              • Osborne Estate [Isle of Wight]
                • Osborne House
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs