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)

'The Comte d'Eu and Duc d'Alencon'; Gaston, Comte d'Eu (1842-1922) and Ferdinand, Duc d'Alencon (1844-1910)

26 - 26 Jul 1854

Salted paper print | 11.0 x 13.1 cm (image) | RCIN 2906536

Photograph of a full length, double portrait of Gaston, Comte d'Eu (1842-1922) on the left and Ferdinand, Duc d'Alencon (1844-1910). The two young boys are seated on a stone bench, facing towards the camera. Photograph taken in the grounds of Osborne House.
  • Creator(s)

    Dr Ernst Becker (1826-88) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Gaston d'Orleans, Count of Eu (1842-1922)
    Ferdinand, Duke of Alençon (1844-1910)
  • annotation: The Comte d'Eu and Duc d'Alencon/ (sons of the Duc de Nemours)/ Osborne-  July-  26.  1854. by Do. [Underneath the photograph]

  • 11.0 x 13.1 cm (image)

    28.2 x 22.9 cm (page dimensions)

  • Gaston, Comte d'Eu, and Ferdinand, Duc d'Alencon (sons of the Duc de Nemours), Osborne, July 26 1854 [Photographic Portraits. Vol 1/59 (1853-1857)]

  • 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
    • People
      • Children
      • Boys
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
        • albums
          • photograph albums