Philippe Mercier served as Painter and Librarian to Frederick, Prince of Wales, from 1728 until 1738. This painting is a version of one of the first portraits painted by Mercier in England; the original is in a private collection and is also known through a print by J. Simon, dated 1734. The prince is shown fingering a jewelled miniature at his breast with his right hand; wearing a gold-coloured embroidered coat with the riband and star of the Garter, with his hair tied back with a bow.