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

    AFTER? THEODORE BRUNELL (1822-61)

    'Prince Alfred (1844-1900) and Princess Helena (1846-1923)'

    c. 1852

    RCIN 2083185

    Glass plate negative of a daguerreotype showing a double portrait of Prince Alfred, later Duke of Edinburgh (1844-1900) and Princess Helena, later Princess Christian of Schleswig Holstein (1846-1923). While the princess is seated facing towards the camera and tilting her head, the prince stands beside her to the right with his arm around his sister.

    The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. Although the original daguerreotype does not seem to exist in the Collection, a daguerreotype showing the Princess Royal (1840-1901) and Princess Alice (1843-1878) taken possibly at the same time has survived (RCIN 2932492).
    • Creator(s)

      After? Theodore Brunell (1822-61) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg & Gotha (1844-1900)
      Princess Helena (1846-1923)
    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
            • negatives
              • glass plate negatives