This portrait was commissioned and acquired from the artist in the spring 1932 as part of the refurbishment of the State Apartments of the Palace of Holyroodhouse overseen by the Holyrood Amenity Trust; it was to hang in the Throne Room. A companion portrait of Queen Mary was commissioned from David Jagger (RCIN 401246).

The artist Frederick Elwell may have come to the attention of Queen Mary through his recent commission of the 'Drawing Room of Glamis Castle for the Earl and Countess Strathmore', the then Duchess of York's parents (RCIN 409264). However, as noted by Wendy Loncaster in her monograph on the artist (A Life in Art, published 1993), there is a striking resemblance to a portrait of Col., JB Stracey Clitherow exhibited 'on the line' at the Royal Academy in 1931 (private collection) and apparently commented on by the King. It seems that the commission followed almost immediately after. The pose and strong diagonal pose in the composition is reminiscent of the Clitehrow portrait, together with the emphasis on uniform and decorations. The King is depicted wearing the uniform of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Scots Guards, the riband and star of the Garter, the mantle, star, collar and riband of the Order of the Thistle; the hat of the Order of the Thistle and a pair of white gloves rest on a table to his right.

Two sittings are recorded at Buckingham Palace in the King's diary: on 18 July 1931 and Tuesday 23 February, 1932. On the former the photographer VanDyck was due to photograph the King in uniform (but apparently forgot his camera); Elwell was to make colour notes and concentrate on the King's features. Part of the attire was then lodged at Elwell's studio, in order that the artist could continue work on the painting with the help of his nephew, Kenneth, modelling as the King.

The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1932 (102) and arrived at Holyroodhouse on 17 August that year; Elwell was paid £420 on the 1 September by the Holyrood Amenity Trust. Queen Mary was apparently not satisfied with the portrait and requested some slight alterations; these were made by 11 November 1932.

A preparatory study is in the Beverley Art Gallery and a third painting was made for Elwell's own keeping.