In 1832 Alexandre-Jean Dubois Drahonet was commissioned by King William IV to paint one hundred pictures illustrating the uniform of the Army and the Navy. Ninety-one of the one hundred are still in the collection today. These are some of the few military works by Drahonet that are recorded, along with paintings depicting the French Navy in the Musée de la Marine, Paris.

Each picture in the series profiles one figure against a neutral background, focusing on details of uniform. The sitters are sometimes identified by name, and are otherwise classified by rank and regiment.Those represented in RCINS 407001-3 and 407035 all served as body guards and personal staff to King William IV.
The Band of Pensioners was constituted by King Henry VIII in 1509. The present title, Her Majesty's Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms, was granted by King William IV in 1834. The Gentlemen-at Arms are the Nearest Guard of The Sovereign.