Hoppner was the son of a German physician working at the court of George II; he was encouraged to become a painter by George III, studying drawings in the Royal Collection as well as attending the RA Schools. In 1793, after the death of Reynolds, Hoppner was appointed Principal Portrait Painter to the Prince of Wales. George III's fourth son and Queen Victoria's father is shown wearing a Lieutenant-General's uniform of red with blue facings and the Star of the Garter; his right hand on the hilt of his sword, his left clutching his sash. The portrait can be dated to the period 1796-9, after the Duke attained this rank (12 January 1796) and before his promotion to full General on 10 May 1799.