'George, Duke of Cambridge (1819-1904)'

Glass plate negative of a portrait painting of Prince George, Duke of Cambridge (1819-1904), created by Franz Xaver Winterhalter in 1852 (RCIN 407124). The bust-length work depicts the Prince facing to the left (here right) and gazing ahead. He wears a dark coat and cravat with a pearl pin, as well as the sash of the Order of the Garter.

Prince George was Queen Victoria's cousin and almost exactly the same age as she. He spent his childhood between Hanover and England, but relocated permanently to England following the queen's accession in June 1837. The Prince had a distinguished military career and was extremely popular within the army. He was also a keen sportsman, an excellent after-dinner speaker, and acknowledged by contemporaries to be a kind and considerate man.

The Queen recorded in her Journal on 5 June 1852 that Winterhalter 'has finished the portrait of George, which is excellent'.

The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative (RCIN 2800661) can be found in an album of photographs collected and arranged by Prince Albert.