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

JOHN JABEZ EDWIN MAYALL (1813-1901)

'Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Princess Beatrice'

10 - 10 Mar 1863

Albumen print handcoloured with watercolour | 8.8 x 5.9 cm (image) | RCIN 2914313

Hand-coloured photograph of a full length group portrait of, from left to right, Princess Helena, Princess Beatrice and Princess Louise dressed as bridesmaids for the wedding of Princess Alexandra and the Prince of Wales

  • Creator(s)

    John Jabez Edwin Mayall (1813-1901) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Princess Helena (1846-1923)
    Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)
    Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg (1857-1944)

  • 8.8 x 5.9 cm (image)

  • Commissioned by Queen Victoria

  • Subject(s)
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Social customs
          • Marriage
            • Royal Weddings
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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