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

    PRINCESS ALICE, GRAND DUCHESS OF HESSE & BY RHINE (1843-78)

    'Princess Beatrice in her Ball Dress'; Princess Beatrice (1857-1944)

    May 1860

    Albumen print hand-coloured with watercolour | 5.2 x 4.6 cm (image) | RCIN 2914296

    Hand-coloured photograph of Princess Beatrice: full length portrait, leaning against balustrade, slightly turned away, wearing a white ball dress.

    • Creator(s)

      Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78) (colourist)

      John Jabez Edwin Mayall (1813-1901) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg (1857-1944)

    • 5.2 x 4.6 cm (image)

    • Commissioned by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
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