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.

Portraiture

Prince Albert was an early adopter of portrait photography

    UNKNOWN PERSON

    Mary Anne (Fanny) Stirling (1813-95) and Fanny Stirling (1842-1929)

    c.1880 copy of an original of c.1860

    Carbon print | 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions) | RCIN 2913670

    Photograph of a full length double portrait of the actors Mary Anne (Fanny) Stirling (1815-95) and her daughter Fanny Stirling (1842-1929). Fanny Stirling is seated on the ground beside her mother. Mary Stirling is seated on a chair, facing three-quarters to the left. She looks towards the camera. She holds up a frame with both hands. The frame frames the face of her daughter.
    • Creator(s)

      Unknown Person (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Mary Ann (Fanny) Stirling (1815-95)
      Fanny Stirling (1842-1929)
    • annotation: Mrs Stirling & daughter./ Reproduced [beneath work]

    • 23.1 x 17.5 cm (page dimensions)

      9.6 x 6.3 cm (mount)

      8.9 x 5.7 cm (image)

    • Acquired by Prince Albert

    • Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • albums
            • photograph albums
          • photographs
            • cartes-de-visite