Pamela Stanley (Lady Cunynghame)
(1909-1991), Actress; wife of Sir David Cunynghame, 11th BtSitter in 2 portraits
Pamela Stanley's career was defined by her portrayals of Queen Victoria, a role she first played in 1935 when Laurence Housman's play Victoria Regina previewed at the Gate Theatre, but was subsequently banned. Following the relaxation of rules surrounding the depiction of Queen Victoria on stage, the play commercially premiered at the Lyric Theatre in London in June 1937, coinciding with the anniversary of Victoria's accession. The resemblance of its star to the young Victoria intrigued photographers, including Tanqueray. Stanley played Queen Victoria twice on film and once more on stage, in The Queen's Highland Servant in 1968.
Pamela Stanley (Lady Cunynghame) as Queen Victoria in 'Victoria Regina'
by Angus McBean
bromide print, 1938
NPG P926
Pamela Stanley (Lady Cunynghame) as Queen Victoria in 'Victoria Regina'
by Paul Tanqueray
vintage bromide print, 1938
NPG x26563
Comments back to top
We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.
If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.