This photo was found in the same envelope as a photo of the Prince Imperial, Louis Napoleon, (recently identified on this site by Evargalo) and various other European royals. The photos (seven in all) were recently handed down on the English side of my family.
What I've established so far:
- The card measures approximately 4 inches (10.16cm) by 2.5 inches (6.35cm) The design on the back (boxes in the corners, the use of a simple crown) means it was printed no earlier than 1873.
- When this card was printed, the photographers A & G. Taylor only had branches in London, Liverpool and Leeds, so the printing is definitely before 1878.
- This comment says the Leeds branch opened c.1875; this date seems most likely for the printing of this card given that the font for ‘Leeds’ is different (as if it was added to an existing template). At least three of the other cards in the collection also date from around 1875.
Other than the above, the best clue would seem to be the costume which (I’ve been told by an elderly relative) is probably either North European or Orthodox and was possibly take for a confirmation or some similar event.
As requested/suggested by AlllnOne in his comment, this close up might help:
As before, I'm looking for any information or additional clues which might lead to an identification of the teenager. A definite answer to the main question would be great, but I don't know if there is enough information here for that to be possible.
Failing an ID, I am prepared to accept an answer which gives information on the costume / other details in the photo. Can anyone provide evidence that it is North European or Orthodox (or indeed from somewhere else)?
EDIT
As suggested by Evargalo in his comment, this may be Grand Duke Paul Alexandrovich of Russia. The dates seem to match quite well (date of photo, date of his birth + possible age in the photo). Can anyone offer any further evidence which might confirm (or refute) this?
Not sure if this will be of any use but (for context), of the seven cards in the envelope, the following five have been positively identified:
- Prince Alfred (1844 – 1900), 2nd son of Queen Victoria, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
- Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia (1853 – 1920), wife of Prince Alfred
- Princess Dagmar of Denmark, later Maria Feodorovna (1847 - 1928), wife of Czar Alexander III
- Maria Sophie of Bavaria (1841 – 1925), Queen Consort of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
- Prince Imperial Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (1856 – 79) (identified by Evargalo in a previous question)
The remaining picture is possibly Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll. Although there are no clues at all on dress (damaged photo, only the head is clear), and the date is very approximate (1860-80, no text on front or back), I found a photo which bears a striking resemblance (facial features).