Prince Christian Victor of Schleswig Holstein was born at Windsor in 1867 and was the eldest son of Princess Helena, third daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He was known as 'Christle' by his family, and was a talented cricketer. Educated at Wellington College, Magdalen, Oxford and Sandhurst, he went on to join the 60th King's Royal Rifles as Lieutenant in 1888. In 1898 he fought under Lord Kitchener in the Sudan campaign and in 1900 served in the Boer War under Lord Roberts. It was here, aged just 33 that he contracted malaria and died of enteric fever. He is buried in the Pretoria cemetery; his grave marked with a granite cross.

On March 1, 1901 Miller was paid £63 for two portraits of Prince Christian Victor. This indicates that the portrait was possibly painted posthumously and was almost certainly commissioned by Queen Victoria. It appears to be a direct copy after a photograph by J.Russell and Sons, which was first published in September 1899.

The Prince is depicted wearing the uniform of a major in the King's Royal Rifle Corps.