Prince Arthur , later Duke of Connaught (1850-1942)

Glass plate negative of a full length portrait of Prince Arthur standing, facing towards the camera. He wears an army drummer's uniform, including busby and tunic with epaulettes and carries a drum across his body.

Prince Arthur was the third son and seventh child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. His predilection for the army was encouraged from an early age and he enjoyed a long life of distinguished military and public service. He was given drumming lessons by a succession of Army drummers: his mother noted in July 1856 that he had 'got on splendidly with his drumming and his new master was very happy today at having been promoted to the Band, and appeared in a gold embroidered tunic!'

The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative exists in the Collection, RCIN 2900256.