Overall: 32.5cm (12.7in) x 22.3cm (8.7in)
Sepia tinted portrait by Russell & Sons of Sir Dighton MacNaghten Probyn VC (1833-1924), once the beau ideal of an Indian irregular cavalry officer, bent double in a chair while in attendance on Queen Alexandra (1844-1927). Silver plated frame.
Probyn was formerly Keeper of the Privy Purse to Edward VII and before that an equerry to the Edward when Prince of Wales. Probyn was devoted to Alexandra when Princess of Wales and later as Queen-Empress, building gardens for her at Windsor Castle and Sandringham House. The Queen returned the devotion, carrying a knife with her to cut open his collar when in his dotage he occasionally had seizures. Probyn won the Victoria Cross during the Indian Mutiny for repeated acts of gallantry. He was mentioned in despatches seven times. He subsequently took command of Wale’s Horse (1st Sikh Irregular Cavalry) which later became 11th Bengal Cavalry. In 1904 when Probyn was appointed Honorary Colonel of his former regiment, it became 11th King Edward's Own Lancers (Probyn's Horse).
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The photographers James Russell and Sons (active 1850s-1940s), were a firm of portrait photographers with their principal studio at Littlehampton and others at Chichester, Worthing, Bognor and Petworth. They were often called on to photograph royalty and were active in promoting the fact.
