Born in Berlin, Daniel Woge trained under Antoine Pesne (1683–1757) and was later court painter to Adolphus Frederick IV of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1738–94), the sitter’s son; although it seems feasible to suggest the artist was first employed by the sitter. Woge remained in Neustrelitz for the rest of his life and apart from portraits, produced altarpieces and drawings for engravings.

Charles Louis Frederick, Duke of Meckenburg, was a member of the House of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and the father to Queen Charlotte. Born in Strelitz, in northern Germany, he undertook a grand tour in 1726, travelling to Italy and France, before returning to the estate and castle of Mirow, which he had inherited from his father. He married Princess Elizabeth Albertine of Saxe-Hildburghausen in 1735 (RCIN 402454). He is depicted wearing a red military jacket with gold brocade, a blue sash with the Prussian star, with an ermine-lined robe over his left shoulder.

This painting is probably a copy of an almost full-length portrait by Woge. It hung, together with a pendant of his wife (RCIN 402454), in the Bed-chamber in Buckingham House in 1785.