A watercolour showing a broadside view of a three-masted ship. Two smaller craft are shown in front and to the left and the shoreline can be seen in the background. Inscribed lower right: Xmas 1857. Alfred

Prince Alfred, or 'Affie' as he was known to his family, was the second son and fourth child of Queen Victoria. The young prince had shown an interest in the navy from childhood and on 26 October 1857 left for Alverbank, near Gosport, to begin his naval studies. Prince Alfred returned to Osborne House, close by on the Isle of Wight, that year to spend Christmas with his family.

This drawing is housed in one of two volumes, compiled by Queen Victoria and containing works presented to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert by their nine children. For other items in the volume see Princes & Princesses album.