How did imperial portraits legitimize the rule of qing emperors?

Royal portraiture is a longstanding tradition that's survived for centuries, but the medium has changed almost as much as the British monarchy has. Here, we highlight some standout images over eight generations of the British royal family, spanning from Queen Victoria 's reign when photography was first introduced , to Queen Elizabeth II 's childhood, to Princess Charlotte 's early years.

From rigidly-posed portraits to sweet candids, take a look at these official royal snaps.

Art of the day

Sign up for our newsletter! She was the first British sovereign to embrace photography as a means of making the royal brand accessible to the public, since the medium was introduced shortly after she ascended the throne. She and her husband, Prince Albert pictured , became champions of the new art form. Here, the couple poses at the State Opening of Parliament in London in regalia.

Like her in-laws, Queen Alexandra was also an avid fan of photography. In this photo, the royal couple looks dotingly at their daughter at her christening, a month after she was born. The picture was taken by Hay Wrightson at Buckingham Palace. The royal daughters match in gray blazers, pleated skirts, and peach button-down shirts. The mother-daughter trio sport floral '40s-style dresses and matching pearls for the portrait.

Philip reportedly proposed with a three-carat diamond ring that consisted of a center stone flanked by 10 smaller diamonds. The couple tied the knot at Westminster Abbey on November 20, The future Queen's wedding gown included 10, seed pearls and a foot train.