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Primary sourcePhotograph1891

Liliuokalani in 1891

James J. Williams · 1891

An official studio photograph of Liliʻuokalani taken at ʻIolani Palace at the start of her reign.

An official portrait of her taken at ʻIolani Palace at the very start of her reign as queen.

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Black-and-white studio portrait of a seated woman in a dark dress with lace trim at the bodice, hands folded in her lap, wearing rings. She sits in an ornate carved wooden armchair with upholstered back and arms against a pale paneled backdrop.
Liliʻuokalani, 1891, photograph by James J. Williams. USC Libraries.

About this source

What it is

A black-and-white photograph of Queen Liliʻuokalani, taken in 1891 at ʻIolani Palace at the beginning of her reign by photographer James J. Williams. It was published before 1892.

Why it matters

This portrait marks the start of Liliʻuokalani's time as monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, a reign that would end just two years later with her overthrow. Official photographs like this were used to present the monarch's authority and status to the public.

Look closer

  • How does the setting and pose suggest royal status?
  • Why would a new monarch want an official photograph taken early in their reign?
  • What might this image have been used for at the time?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Queen Liliʻuokalani on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Black-and-white studio portrait of a woman standing full length beside an upholstered chair with a fur-like back, wearing a light pale gown with ruffled trim, a long train pooling on the floor, a dark sash across her chest with a decorative badge, and a necklace. Painted backdrop of foliage behind her.Book

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Liliʻuokalani · 1898

Page of the 1898 Joint Resolution to Provide for Annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States, handwritten annotation 'Public Resolution No. 51' at top, with printed text of the resolution's preamble and sections below.Document

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Joint Resolution to Provide for Annexing the Hawaiian Islands to the United States

United States Congress · 7 July 1898

Sheet music cover for 'Aloha Oe', reading 'Aloha Oe. Song and Chorus', with an ornate border, a crown and 'Oniipaa' monogram emblem, and text 'Composed by Her Royal Highness Princess Liliuokalani, of Honolulu, Oahu, H.I.' Published by The Pacific Music Co., 208 Post St., San Francisco, Cal.Artifact

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Aloha ʻOe

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Imprisonment Quilt

Liliʻuokalani · 1895

Black-and-white photograph of people climbing stone steps toward a palace. A woman in a dark dress is at the center, flanked by men in dark suits and hats. Horse-drawn carriages with canopies stand on a dirt road, a mounted rider is in the background, and a tall street lamp stands by the steps. Trees and a white colonial building are behind. The number 53 is written in the lower right corner.Photograph

Primary source

Liliuokalani entering palace for trial of 1895

James J. Williams · 1895

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