This painting is a copy by William Corden of the portrait by Franz Xaver Winterhalter of Princess Mary Adelaide (RCIN 407123). She was Queen Victoria's cousin, the youngest of the three children of Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge (1774–1850), son of George III, and his wife, Princess Augusta (1797–1889). In 1866 she married Prince Francis of Teck and she became known as a great philanthropist, giving away at least 20 per cent of her annual allowance of £5,000 granted by parliament. The many charities she supported included Dr Barnardo's, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the St John Ambulance Association.

Inscribed on the back with the date, 1847, and as copied by Corden after Winterhalter.