In 1800 William Beechey submitted an account to George IV for six portraits of his sisters – this one of Princess Augusta, as well as portraits of Princess Elizabeth (RCIN 403412), Charlotte, Princess Royal (RCIN 403513), Princess Amelia, (RCIN 403414) Princess Mary (RCIN 403415) and Princess Sophia (RCIN 403417)-  at forty guineas each. 

All six portraits seem intended as intimate and affectionate studies of the Princesses as sensitive and accomplished young ladies for their devoted brother, George IV. Though two of the elder sisters are shown dressed in coloured silks, Augusta here appears in the same virginal white as the three youngest. She is also shown with a sketch pad, appropriately as Beechey had been employed to teach her and Princess Elizabeth drawing. The princess's features seem vaguely reminiscent of the classical bust stood next to her and the proximity of marble and white dress somehow conveys the idea that the whole portrait might be considered as a piece of chaste and high-minded sculpture. So much white makes her slight blush glow by contrast. The anchor necklace also appears in RCIN 404556.