This is a copy by Angelo Hayter, Sir George Hayter's son, of the figure of Prince Ernest in the painting of the 'Marriage of Queen Victoria' (RCIN 407165). The Prince was the elder son of Ernest I, whom he succeeded as Duke of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in 1844. He was very different in character from his younger brother, Prince Albert, and was already considered 'a little wild'. The brothers were very close, but later in life Prince Ernest's behaviour caused his relatives much concern – Queen Victoria thought it 'monstrous' and when there was an opportunity for him to meet the Prince of Wales in Egypt in 1862, it was considered inadvisable. Here Prince Ernest is in the uniform of a Major-General in the Royal Saxonian Garde-Reiter Regiment, wearing the collar of the Guelphic Order and the star of the Family Order of Saxe-Ernest. His badges include the Juanita Order of Prussia and the Order of Christ of Portugal.

On the back is a label on which is inscribed the name of the sitter: 'copied, from Hayter's picture of The / Marriage of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, / by Angelo Hayter. March 1842.'