Photograph of Princess Victoria, full length, standing in almost left side profile, facing the viewer. She wears a bonnet and holds a small posy of flowers in her left hand. Curtain on the right of picture with painted backdrop. On 19 May 1857 the engagement was announced between the Princess Royal and Prince Frederick William of Prussia (later Emperor Frederick III). Numerous photographic commissions followed, including this session with the Florentine photographer Caldesi. He had photographed the royal family at least twice previously, including a visit to Osborne in May. Royal patronage transformed his career. Text adapted from Victoria & Albert: Art & Love, London, 2010