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)

Royal family at Osborne

1 - 1 May 1854

Albumen print | 7.2 x 5.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2513452

Photograph of a full length group portrait of the royal family at Osborne. The family pose in front of a fountain on the terrace. At the centre of the grouping stand Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Princess Victoria, Duchess of Kent, stands to the right side of the grouping.
  • Creator(s)

    Dr Ernst Becker (1826-88) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1819-1901)
    Prince Albert, Prince Consort (1819-61)
    Princess Victoria, Duchess of Kent (1786-1861)
    King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
    Empress Friedrich, German Empress and Queen of Prussia (1840-1901)
    Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught (1850-1942)
    Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)
    Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78)
    Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)
    Princess Helena (1846-1923)
  • annotation: Osborne./ May 24 1854. [beneath work, right side]

  • 7.2 x 5.8 cm (image)

    9.5 x 6.5 cm (page dimensions)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • England
            • Isle of Wight [England]
              • Osborne Estate [Isle of Wight]
                • Osborne House
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs