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

THOMAS RICHARD WILLIAMS (1825-71)

Victoria, the Princess Royal, later Empress of Germany (1840-1901), on her sixteenth birthday

21 - 21 Nov 1856

Salted paper print | 11.8 x 9.7 cm (image) | RCIN 2900084

Photograph of Victoria, Princess Royal, later Empress of Germany (1840-1901) taken on her 16th birthday. She is seated and faces towards the camera. She poses with her hands held together in her lap. She wears a light coloured off-the-shoulders gown, gloves, pearls and a jewelled hairpiece. 

  • Creator(s)

    Thomas Richard Williams (1825-71) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    Empress Friedrich, German Empress and Queen of Prussia (1840-1901)

  • annotation: Victoria./ Princess Royal./ in the dress which she worse on her 16th birthday./ 21st Nov: 1856./ By Mr. Williams. [beneath work]

  • 11.8 x 9.7 cm (image)

    31.0 x 24.7 cm (whole object)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
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