William and Daniel Downey were photographers based in Newcastle upon Tyne and London. Queen Victoria was first photographed 'by a very good photographer Downey, from Newcastle' on 22 September 1866 (RA QVJ). W. & D. Downey established studios in London at 6 Ebury Street (1872 – 8), and subsequently at 51 Ebury Street (1879) and 57 Ebury Street (1880 – 90), although much of their printing and finishing was still completed in Newcastle. They became known for their photography of members of the Royal Family and other society figures. The firm continued to operate after the death of its founder, Daniel Downey, in July 1881, and in 1896 Queen Victoria and her family 'were all photographed by Downey by the new cinematograph process, which makes moving pictures by winding off a reel of films' (RA QVJ: 3 October 1896).

This is a smaller, unsigned version of another miniature in the Royal Collection (421082). Perhaps because of the smaller format, the long strand of pearls seen at the Queen's breast in the primary version has been omitted.