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.

Glass plate negatives

Albert and Victoria’s collection of glass plate negatives show photographers’ working methods

Portraiture

      Queen Victoria and Prince Albert commissioned a range of photographic portraits of their family, friends and royal household staff. Most of them were taken within the royal residences such as Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace, Balmoral Castle and Osborne House. The royal couple also commissioned portraits of notable individuals they knew or admired, including members of European royal families and actors. The negatives of these portraits were acquired by the royal couple collaboratively and stand as testament to their shared interest in documenting and representing the people that mattered to them.

      Family portraits

      Albert and Victoria employed photographers to document important family occasions and daily life

      Royal Household portraits

      The negatives of the Royal Household reveal the royal family’s high regard for their staff

      Portraits

      A selection of negatives depicting people the royal family knew or admired