Prince Friedrich Karl Nicolaus of Prussia (1828–1885) is depicted in this albumen carte-de-visite in a composed bust-length portrait that conveys both rank and battlefield authority. A Prussian field marshal and victor at the Battle of Königgrätz in 1866, Frederick Charles was educated from childhood for a military career and rose to command armies in two major wars. The reverse bears the imprint of Maison Alphonse Giroux, the celebrated Parisian luxury house at 43 Boulevard des Capucines, placing the photograph between 1857, when Alphonse Giroux transferred the shop to that address, and 1867, when the firm was ceded to Duvinage and Harinkouck.

The Prince wears a dark Prussian military tunic with broad fringed epaulettes at both shoulders. A cross on a neck ribbon hangs prominently at the collar, and below it a full row of campaign ribbons and a cluster of medallions covers the chest, with a star order pinned lower at the breast. He is bald with a thick, sweeping mustache and returns the camera with a composed, forward gaze.

At Königgrätz, Frederick Charles commanded the Prussian 1st Army, which bore the major responsibility for the decisive victory over Austria; during the Franco-German War of 1870–71, he commanded the 2nd Army. He received the capitulation of Metz on October 27, 1870, and was promoted to field marshal the following day.

The reverse is inscribed in pencil in two hands: "9e Frédéric Charles" (9th Frederick Charles) above "Prince Frederick Charles," followed by the blue-stamped imprint "Mᵒⁿ Alph. Giroux / 43. Boul. des Capucines / Paris."