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

ANTOINE FRANÇOIS JEAN CLAUDET (1797-1867)

'The Prince of Wales & Princess Alice'; Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (1841-1910) and Princess Alice, later Grand Duchess of Hesse (1843-78)

Jul 1856

Albumen print hand-coloured with watercolour | 6.3 x 5.3 cm (image) | RCIN 2914271

Hand-coloured photograph of a three-quarter length double portrait of the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII (1841-1910) and Princess Alice, later Grand Duchess of Hesse (1843-78), standing, facing the camera.  The brother and sister link arms. The Prince of Wales rests his right arm on a nearby chair.

  • Creator(s)

    Antoine François Jean Claudet (1797-1867) (photographer)

    Grey (active 1856) (colourist)

    Subject(s)

    King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
    Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78)

  • 6.3 x 5.3 cm (image)

  • Commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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