The sepia-tinged picture evokes the essential qualities of the Victorian era; the Queen on her beloved horse, Fyvie, accompanied by her loyal retainer, John Brown.
It was taken at Balmoral by the pioneering Aberdeen photographer, George Washington Wilson, who was granted unique access to the day-to-day activities of the family at their Deeside residence more than 150 years ago.
And now, an exhibition of rarely-seen snapshots of Queen Victoria and her household at their north-east home will go on show at Aberdeen University this Sunday.
Lent by Her Majesty the Queen from the Royal Collection, the event comprises 50 items, including photographs and stereoscopic images, exploring Queen Victoria’s time in Scotland, including the building of Balmoral, royal engagements and regal portraits.
It also contains a collection of items relating to the pioneering and prolific Mr Washington Wilson, and Victorian photography more generally.
A reception will be held this Friday, with invited guests from the Royal Collection Trust, alumni and donors, in addition to members of the Strachan family.
In 1953, Archie Strachan donated 40,000 Washington Wilson glass plates and negatives to the university, chronicling the astonishing assortment of work carried out by the man who became a household name during his life from 1823 to 1893.
Its George Washington Wilson & Co photographic collection consists of more than 37,000 glass plate negatives – the world’s largest treasure trove of his creations.
In 2011, the institution launched a new online system of high-resolution digital versions of images which were taken between 1853 and 1908 by the firm which Mr Washington Wilson established and which thrived before and after his death in Aberdeen.
Neil Curtis, head of museums and special collections, said: “Aberdeen University has a substantial collection of George Washington Wilson photos and negatives, so it is wonderful to be able to welcome this new exhibition.
“These photos were all taken by royal appointment, focusing particularly on the royal family at Balmoral.
“This is a chance to see some rarely-seen images from the family photograph album.”
Mr Washington Wilson became established in the Granite City in the 1850s as an artist and photographer, and quickly made a name for himself among the middle classes and landed gentry.
His patronage by the royal family during their visits to the Balmoral Estates began in 1854, when he was invited to the construction of Balmoral Castle.
A year later, he was commissioned to take portraits of the family in the grounds of the property and was subsequently appointed ‘Photographer to Her Majesty in Scotland’ in 1873.
The display will be held in the university’s Sir Duncan Rice Library Gallery until July 5, when the Royal Collection items will move on to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from July 17 to October 4.
