William V succeeded his father as Stadholder of the United Provinces of the Netherlands in 1751. The French invasion of 1795 forced him and his family into exile in England (they lived at Hampton Court, the palace built by his cousin, several times removed, William III). Hoppner's original portrait of the Prince was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1800 and is now in the Dutch Royal Collection at Het Loo. This is a version or copy of that portrait perhaps commissioned by George IV; there is certainly mention of a portrait for him in 1799. Its pair depicting the Princess of Orange (RCIN 403912) has identical provenance. The Prince is wearing Windsor uniform with the riband and star of the Order of the Garter.