Sarah Forbes Bonetta, originally Aina, was a Yoruba princess enslaved after her father’s death in war. Rescued by British naval captain Frederick Forbes in 1850, she was brought to England and presented to Queen Victoria, who became her godmother and funded her education. Sarah later married James Davies, a wealthy Sierra Leonean merchant, in a notable wedding. She lived in Lagos and Madeira before dying of tuberculosis in 1880.

Her life, reflecting colonialism's complexities, is now being honored by English Heritage with a portrait by Hannah Uzor. The artwork aims to highlight overlooked Black historical figures and will be displayed at Osborne, Queen Victoria’s residence.