The Duke, Prince Albert's father, is wearing military uniform with the ribbon and star of the Garter and the stars of the Orders of Saxe-Ernest and of St Stephen of Austria. His badges include St Alexander Nevsky and the Military Order of St George (Russia), the Military Decoration of 1814 (Bohemia) and the Military Order of William (Holland). The painting was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1844.

His marriage to Albert's mother, Princess Louise, was unhappy due to his infidelity, and they separated in 1824 and divorced in 1826. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were, however, extremely fond of him. On his death in 1844 the Queen wrote of 'our present overwhelming grief…our Dearly beloved Father, was the kindest & best of Parents, - of Relations & of Princes…'. Princess Feodora, Queen Victoria's half-sister, remembered 'how happy he always was to show his favourite places and the improvements and alterations he had made; he has left many monuments of his excellent tastes & talents'.

Inscribed on the back with the names of the artist and sitter and the date, 1842.