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Portrait of Princess Liliuokalani

Unknown author

A studio photograph of Liliʻuokalani taken during her years as princess and heir apparent under King Kalākaua.

This lifetime photograph shows Liliʻuokalani as princess, before she became queen.

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Black-and-white studio portrait of a woman standing, wearing a dark beaded gown, a light sash across her chest, and a flower in her hair. She rests one hand on an ornate carved chair with a draped cloth.
Princess Liliuokalani of Hawaii, photographer unknown.

About this source

What it is

This is a black-and-white studio photograph showing Liliʻuokalani standing in a formal gown, taken while she held the title of princess. The photographer is unknown.

Why it matters

At this stage Liliʻuokalani was heir apparent and sometimes acted as regent for her brother, King Kalākaua. Portraits like this one were used to present the royal family formally to the public, both in Hawaiʻi and abroad, and show how she was depicted before she became queen.

Look closer

  • What does her clothing and pose suggest about how royalty wanted to be seen?
  • Why might the photographer be unknown, while the subject is clearly identified?
  • What can't this image tell you about her political role 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

Primary source

Hawaii's Story by Hawaii's Queen

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

Primary source

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

Primary source

Aloha ʻOe

Liliʻuokalani · c. 1877-1878

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.Photograph

Primary source

Liliuokalani in 1891

James J. Williams · 1891

Photograph of a large patchwork quilt with nine square blocks in a three by three grid, bordered in dark brown. Blocks feature crazy-quilt piecing in varied fabrics, embroidery, and embroidered text, with a central block of blue and red fabric bearing printed script.Artifact

Primary source

Imprisonment Quilt

Liliʻuokalani · 1895

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