Portret van prinses Wilhelmina als jong meisje, staand naast een pony c. 1886 - 1888

Richard Kameke captured this photograph of Princess Wilhelmina with her pony sometime before 1898. As the only child of King William III, Wilhelmina was heir to the Dutch throne, embodying the hopes and expectations of a nation. In this sepia-toned image, we see her as a young girl, stiffly posed, yet there’s a tenderness evoked by the pony by her side. The trappings of royalty are evident in her formal attire, yet her youth shines through. Kameke's portrait subtly acknowledges Wilhelmina's unique position. She was a child, yet already burdened by the weight of her future role. Photographs like these helped to cultivate Wilhelmina's image and contribute to the monarchy's power, subtly negotiating the personal and the political. The photograph allows us a glimpse into the life of a young princess, whose life would be one of both privilege and responsibility.