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

    LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

    Princess Louise, later Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)

    21 - 21 Mar 1871

    Albumen print hand-coloured with watercolour | 8.3 x 5.5 cm (image) | RCIN 2914304

    Hand-coloured photograph of a three-quarter length portrait of Princess Louise, later Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939) standing, facing towards the camera. She turns her head right, and gazes ahead, away from the camera. She wears a wedding dress, decorated with flowers, a floral hairpiece with veil attached, bracelets and necklace. She holds a bouquet.

    • Creator(s)

      Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

      Grey (active 1856) (colourist)

      Subject(s)

      Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)
      Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)

    • 8.3 x 5.5 cm (image)

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria

    • Subject(s)
      • Social sciences
        • Ethnology
          • Social customs
            • Marriage
              • Wedding Ceremonial Costume
                • Wedding dresses
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
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