Image of Gallery in South Kensington
Request to view at the Prints & Drawings Study Room, level F , Case X, Shelf 914, Box S

Photograph

December 1948 (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Beaton, Cecil (Sir) (photographer)

Photograph depicting Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Charles as a baby, 1948. Wearing a lace Christening gown, the prince is seen lying in a bassinet. The bassinet is furnished in light-coloured sheer fabrics and lace, with gathered edging and embroidered detail. His mother sits beside the crib, with her hand resting on its edge, looking over him. She wears a collared dress with a brooch and a pearl necklace.


Object details

Categories
Photographs
Portraits
Royalty
Object type
Photograph
Materials and techniques
Paper
Gelatin Silver Process
Photography
Brief description
Royal Portrait by Cecil Beaton (1904-1980). Photograph depicting Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Charles as a baby, 1948. Wearing a lace Christening gown, the prince is seen lying in a bassinet. His mother sits beside the crib, with her hand resting on its edge, looking over him.
Physical description
Photograph depicting Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) and Prince Charles as a baby, 1948. Wearing a lace Christening gown, the prince is seen lying in a bassinet. The bassinet is furnished in light-coloured sheer fabrics and lace, with gathered edging and embroidered detail. His mother sits beside the crib, with her hand resting on its edge, looking over him. She wears a collared dress with a brooch and a pearl necklace.
Dimensions
  • Image width: 19.5cm
  • Image height: 24.3cm
  • Paper width: 19.5cm
  • Paper height: 24.3cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'First picture of Prince Charles' (Written in blue biro on reverse.)
  • '1948' (Written in pencil on reverse.)
  • '314.101' (Written in pencil on reverse.)
  • [Various annotations, including the name Cecil Beaton which has been written on a rectangular sticker] (Pencil and ink on reverse.)
Gallery label
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Charles, Buckingham Palace December 1948 Beaton photographed Prince Charles on 13 December 1948, two days before the Prince’s christening. He commissioned a new backdrop for the occasion, which his assistants installed in the gold and ivory-coloured Music Room at Buckingham Palace. Beaton used a large 8x10 inch and smaller Rolleiflex cameras. He recalled that, ‘his mother sat by the cot and, holding his hand, watched his movements with curiosity, pride and amusement.’ Gelatin silver print V&A: Ph.218-1987 (2012)
Credit line
Bequeathed to the Museum in 1987 by Eileen Hose, secretary to the photographer
Production
Cecil Beaton photographed members of the royal family from 1930-1979.
Subjects depicted
King Charles III
HM Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Other number
314.101 - Beaton's number
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
PH.218-1987

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Record createdDecember 17, 2010
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1176620/photograph-beaton-cecil-sir/
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