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)

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

11 - 11 May 1854

Albumen print | 20.4 x 16.2 cm (print) (image) | RCIN 2906513

Photograph showing a full length portrait of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and Prince Albert (1819-61). Queen Victoria stands in right side profile and wears formal court dress. Prince Albert stands in left side profile, holding a feathered hat in his left hand and wears a uniform. There is a pedestal between them, with flowers upon it. Photograph taken at Buckingham Palace. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are wearing court dress, having just attended a Drawing Room, a formal ceremony at St James's Palace in which people were presented to the Queen. This image, one of a set of at least six, is the first photograph of the Queen as a reigning monarch rather than as wife or mother.
  • Creator(s)

    Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1819-1901)
    Prince Albert, Prince Consort (1819-61)
  • annotation: The Queen & Prince/ Buckingham Palace- May 11. 1854./ (After a Drawing room)/ by Do. [Ditto] [beneath work]

  • 20.4 x 16.2 cm (print) (image)

    28.2 x 22.9 cm (page) (page dimensions)

  • The Queen and Prince, Buckingham Palace (After a Drawing Room), May 11 1854

  • Commissioned by Queen Victoria

  • Subject(s)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • England
            • Greater London [England]
              • London [Greater London]
                • City of Westminster [London]
                  • Buckingham Palace
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Social customs
          • Marriage
            • Wedding Ceremonial Costume
              • Wedding dresses
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Industries, Crafts and Trades
        • Clothing
          • Headgear
            • Hats
              • Plumed hats
          • Costume
            • Uniforms
              • Military uniforms
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
        • albums
          • photograph albums