This is a copy of a portrait by Winterhalter in the Royal Collection (see 406942).

Prince William is wearing the uniform of a Staff Colonel in the Prussian infantry with the stars of the Black Eagle and the Family Order of Saxe-Ernest. His badges include the Iron Cross, the Red Eagle and the Orders of St George and St Vladimir of Russia. He was the younger son of Frederick William III, King of Prussia, whom he succeeded in 1861 and in 1871 he took the title of German Emperor. A passionate soldier, he was never seen out of uniform. He stayed with the Queen in 1844 and was again in London in 1848 when he rode in the Birthday Parade. When he left, the Queen described him as 'a very noble-minded, honest Being…He seemed to have great confidence in my beloved Albert'. Later he became godfather to the Queen's son, Prince Arthur. There are pentimenti (changes by the artist) in the uniform and the upper star, and the columns on the right are painted over the sky as if added as the painting developed.