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 THOMAS RICHARD WILLIAMS (1825-71)

    'Victoria, the Princess Royal, later Empress of Germany (1840-1901)'

    c. 1856

    RCIN 2084334

    Glass plate negative of a daguerreotype featuring a near full length portrait of Victoria, the Princess Royal, later Empress of Germany (1840-1901). The princess is seated, facing halfway to the left, and turns her head towards the camera, gazing slightly to the left. She wears an off-the-shoulder dark coloured gown and holds a fan in one hand and gloves in the other. Photograph taken at Windsor Castle.

    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 2900082).
    • Creator(s)

      After Thomas Richard Williams (1825-71) (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      Empress Friedrich, German Empress and Queen of Prussia (1840-1901)
    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Subject(s)
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Industries, Crafts and Trades
          • Clothing
            • Fans
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
            • negatives
              • glass plate negatives