King Edward VII; Queen Alexandra; George I, King of Greece
King Edward VII; Queen Alexandra; George I, King of Greece
by Southwell Brothers
albumen carte-de-visite, October 1863
3 1/2 in. x 2 1/4 in. (90 mm x 58 mm) image size
Acquired from Jonathan Ruffer, 1976
Photographs Collection
NPG Ax47007
Sittersback to top
- Queen Alexandra (1844-1925), Queen of Edward VII. Sitter associated with 478 portraits, Artist or producer associated with 10 portraits. Identify
- King Edward VII (1841-1910), Reigned 1901-10. Sitter associated with 505 portraits. Identify
- George I, King of Greece (1845-1913), King of the Hellenes, reigned 1863-1913; brother of Queen Alexandra. Sitter in 20 portraits. Identify
Artistback to top
- Southwell Brothers (active 1861-1876), Photographers. Artist or producer associated with 197 portraits.
This portraitback to top
Alexandra, eldest daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark and his consort Louise, married the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII on 10 March 1863. One of six children, she was closest in age to her brother Prince George and sister Princess Dagmar, forming an intimate group within the family. She is photographed with them both here in the year of her marriage and also that of Prince George's accession to the throne in Greece.
Alexandra, popular with the British public, was famed for her elegance and beauty, both factors that made her image suitable for widespread distribution. The sittings and their subsequent publication were reported and praised in the Press. The total series consisted of nine pictures. Alexandra sat for the Southwell Brothers again following the birth of her first child and son, Prince Albert Victor.
Placesback to top
- Place made: United Kingdom: England, London (photographers' studio, 16 & 22 Baker Street, Portman Square, London)
Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top
- The Southwell Brothers: Photographers Royal (9 May 2011 - 6 December 2011)
Subjects & Themesback to top
Events of 1863back to top
Current affairs
The opening of the world's first underground railway, with the Metropolitan Railway running trains between Bishop's Street, Padington and Farringdon. Work had begun in 1860, using the 'cut-and-cover' method of construction. The Metropolitan line inspired the construction of other underground railways - the Parisian 'Metro' took its name from the line.The Football Association is founded.
Art and science
Julia Margaret Cameron takes up photography, taking portraits of some of the most celebrated figures of the day, with her romantic style capturing the sense of nostalgia and longing that characterised the age.Kingsley's Water Babies; A Fairy Tale for Children is published, the hugely popular tale of drowned chimney sweep Tom's moral education in the river world of the water babies. It inspired the 1978 film starring James Mason.
International
At an international conference, the Geneva Public Welfare Society calls on the sixteen nations present to form voluntary units to help the wartime wounded. The society, comprised of five Swiss citizens and led by Henri Dunant, who had been deeply affected by the casualties he had witnessed at the Battle of Solferino, became the National Red Cross Societies, adopting the emblem of a red cross on white background.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.