Philips was a painter of portraits and conversation pieces who, according to George Vertue, was encouraged by people of fashion and ‘even some of the Royal Family’. This is one of a pair of full-length portraits (OM 531-2, 405647-8) of the Prince and Princess of Wales, one of which (that of the Princess) is signed and dated 1737, which suggests that both were painted by Philips at that time. There are several versions of these popular designs. The Prince is shown wearing the robes of the Garter, with the plumed hat of the order on table.