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.

Visit the Royal Collection

Glass plate negatives

Albert and Victoria’s collection of glass plate negatives show photographers’ working methods

      WILLIAM BAMBRIDGE (1820-79)

      Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and Princess Louise (1848-1939), Windsor Castle

      Mar 1862

      RCIN 2083593

      Glass plate negative of a full length double portrait showing Queen Victoria seated. The queen faces three-quarters to the left, looking down at a picture of Prince Albert that she holds on her lap. She places one arm around Princess Louise's shoulders. Princess Louise kneels by her mother's side, also looking at picture. There is a bust of Prince Albert in the background.

      The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative exists in the Collection, RCIN 2900544.

      • Creator(s)

        William Bambridge (1820-79) (photographer)

      • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

      PreviousNext
      PreviousNext