Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh and Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (1844–1900), second son of Queen Victoria and a career naval officer, is depicted here in a full-length standing pose on an albumen cabinet card produced by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. The company advertised itself as sole photographers to the International Exhibition of 1862, and the reverse imprint listing both 54 Cheapside and 108 and 110 Regent Street places this card between the mid-1860s and the late 1880s. The "Copyright" notice printed on the recto confirms commercial publication.

The Duke stands with his left elbow resting on a studio pedestal and his right hand placed on his hip, gazing alertly to his left. He wears a double-breasted dark naval frock coat with gilt buttons, broad gold lace on the cuffs, white trousers, and a peaked cap with a badge, the uniform consistent with a senior naval officer of the period. His expression is composed and direct, his posture relaxed yet commanding.

Prince Alfred joined the Navy in 1858 at the age of fourteen; he pursued his naval career actively, being promoted to Lieutenant in 1863 and to Captain three years later, eventually rising to Admiral of the Fleet by 1893. He had an active naval career, including high command based on professional merit.

The reverse bears a pencil inscription reading "Duke of Edinborough" and the printed imprint of The London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, 54 Cheapside and 110 and 108 Regent Street, with the designation "Photographers to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales and to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh."