In the late 1850s, the royal family began to collect cartes- de-visite of European individuals they knew and admired. In order to store and present their vast carte collection, Prince Albert commissioned and compiled a series of albums based on the sitter’s country of origin. The albums include Austrian Portraits, English Portraits, and portraits of European royalty, entitled Royal Portraits.

The albums illustrate the variety of photographers producing cartes-de-visite across Europe during the nineteenth century. Notable photographers include Camille Silvy (1834-1910) and Ludwig Angerer (1827-79)