The Royal Family at Osborne

Leonida Caldesi was among a small number of photographers who photographed the royal family during the 1850s. This photograph is from an album arranged by Prince Albert and depicts Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with all nine of their children, posed on the terrace at Osborne.  This particular work was shown at the 1858 London Photographic Society's exhibition and was reproduced in an engraving for the Illustrated London News. This was a rare occurrence, as most photographs taken during the 1850s of the royal family were for their private use. It was not until 1860 that Queen Victoria permitted photographs of the royal family to be made publicly and commercially accessible.