Franz Xaver Winterhalter had painted the original portrait for Queen Victoria as a present for Prince Arthur's godfather, Prince William of Prussia. In 1882, when Prince Arthur was in Egypt the Queen had expressed a wish to have a copy of the portrait, which delighted her when it arrived shortly afterwards.

Prince Arthur (1850–1942), was the third son and seventh of the nine children of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He was born on 1 May 1850, the birthday of his godfather, the Duke of Wellington, after whom he was named. He had a career in the army and became Governor-General of Canada.

Inscribed on the back with the sitter's age, seven weeks, and the date, June 1850; and as a copy by Seckendorff after Winterhalter.