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Portrait Of Queen Victoria's African Goddaughter Unveiled At Osborne House

Sarah Forbes Bonetta by artist Hannah Uzor.

A new painting of Queen Victoria’s African goddaughter has been unveiled at Osborne House today (Wednesday).

The portrait of Sarah Forbes Bonetta was produced by artist Hannah Uzor - and will go on display throughout October to mark Black History Month.

Ms Bonetta - a former slave and the daughter of an African ruler - was brought to England by Captain Frederick Forbes of the H.M.S. Bonetta. He was given Ms Bonetta as a 'diplomatic gift' in 1850.

Soon after arriving here, Captain Forbes introduced her to Queen Victoria who described the then seven-year-old as “sharp and intelligent”. 

The Queen met Ms Bonetta several times over the next two years including at Osborne, eventually paying for her education and becoming her godmother.

Hannah Uzor’s portrait shows her in her wedding dress in 1862. It is based on a photograph in the National Portrait Gallery in London. Hannah said:

“Through my art, I’m interested in exploring those forgotten black people in British history, people such as Sarah. What I find interesting about Sarah is that she challenges our assumptions about the status of black women in Victorian Britain. I was also drawn to her because of the parallels with my own family and my children, who share Sarah's Nigerian heritage.

“To see Sarah return to Osborne, her godmother’s home, is very satisfying and I hope my portrait will mean more people discover her story.”

Following her marriage to Sierra Leone-born merchant James Davies, Ms Bonetta had three children. She named her first daughter after the Queen, who also became her godmother.


A photograph of Sarah Forbes Bonetta in the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The young Victoria sought comfort from the Queen after hearing of her mother’s death, while travelling to Osborne, in 1880.

Hannah Uzor's portrait of Sarah Forbes Bonetta is on display at Osborne on the Isle of Wight from today.

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