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

GEORGE WASHINGTON WILSON (1823-93)

Family group, Balmoral

29 - 29 Sep 1855

Collodion glass plate negative | RCIN 2084357

Glass plate negative of (from right to left): Prince Friedrich Wilhelm of Prussia (1833-88), later Frederick III of Prussia; Princess Victoria (1840-1901), later Empress Dowager of Prussia; Prince Alfred (1844-1900), later Duke of Edinburgh (seated on the grass); Princess Alice (1843-78), later Grand Duchess of Hesse; Princess Helena (1846-1923), later Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein; Queen Victoria (1819-1901); Princess Louise (1848-1939), later Duchess of Argyll; Prince Albert (1819-61) and Prince Albert Edward of Wales (1841-1910), later King Edward VII. The group were photographed at Balmoral to mark the Princess Royal's engagement to Prince Frederick William of Prussia. 

  • Creator(s)

    George Washington Wilson (1823-93) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
    Empress Friedrich, German Empress and Queen of Prussia (1840-1901)
    Princess Alice, Grand Duchess of Hesse & by Rhine (1843-78)
    Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)
    Queen Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom (1819-1901)
    Prince Albert, Prince Consort (1819-61)
    Frederick III, Emperor of Germany (1831-88)
    Frederick III, Emperor of Germany (1831-88)
    Princess Helena (1846-1923)
    Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (1848-1939)
  • Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • negatives
            • glass plate negatives