Frederick William succeeded his father, Frederick William III, in 1840. Queen Victoria found him kind, good and clever on his visit to England in 1842. In 1857 he suffered from a series of strokes and his brother William became Regent. Here the King is dressed in the uniform of a General Officer of Cavalry in the Prussian army, wearing the collar (and possibly the star) of the Order of the Black Eagle. His badges include the Iron Cross and, probably, the Military Medal and the Military Mark of Honour.

Hayter went to Germany in August 1843 to paint the King of Prussia so that he could include him in the picture of the Christening of the Prince of Wales (RCIN 403501). When he returned to England he showed the sketch to the Queen and Prince Albert. They thought it very like, but the body too small. On 18 May 1847 he worked on the painting all day so that he could give it to the Queen on her birthday, six days later.

Signed and dated: 'George Hayter Pinxit / Potsdam 1843.' Inscribed also on the back by the artist as painted in Potsdam in 1843 as a study for the picture of the Christening of the Prince of Wales.