Photograph showing head and shoulders portrait of Charles Beresford. He is looking to his right. He wears a double-breasted coat. Oval format.

Beresford was a naval officer and MP, and travelled widely, including Japan, Egypt and Sudan,where he was involved in the Gordon Relief Expedition in 1884/5. He commanded many ships including HMS Galatea, RY Victoria and Albert, HMY Osborne and others. He was Aide-de-Camp to Edward, Prince of Wales, on his visit to India in 1874/5, and continued his friendship with the Prince of Wales until 1891 when Beresford's affair with Daisy Greville, Countess of Warwick conflicted with the Prince's own interests. He aspired to the highest naval post of First Sea Lord but clashed with Sir John Fisher over navy reforms and Winston Churchill, during WW1.

In an effort to strengthen diplomatic relations between the Indian rulers and the British Crown, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of Queen Victoria, embarked on a tour of the Indian subcontinent in October 1875. The Prince visited 21 towns and cities across parts of modern-day India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal, where he exchanged and received gifts from each ruler he met during his tour. The Prince returned to England in May 1876. As a result of the visit, six photographic albums were compiled of portraits, groups and views. Some of the photographs were commercial prints already available; others were specially taken to commemorate the tour.