Charlotte (1744–1818) was the second daughter of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1708–52) and his wife, Elizabeth Albertina of Saxe-Hildburghausen (1713–61). She married George III in 1761. This portrait may be the one sent from Mecklenburg to George III before Charlotte's arrival in England for her marriage. Colonel David Graeme, who sent the portrait, wrote to Lord Bute: 'The Picture is like her. I cannot say flattered, and the nose badly done'. There is only one other miniature in the Royal Collection (RCIN 43892) depicting Charlotte before she became queen.

When Charlotte arrived in England, Horace Walpole, the art historian and writer, wrote: 'She looks very sensible, cheerful, and is remarkably genteel'. It was a happy marriage, as their contemporary, Frances Burney, observed: 'Their behaviour to each other speaks the most cordial confidence and happiness … in their different ways, and allowing for the difference of their characters, they left me equally charmed both with their behaviour to each other and to myself'. They had 15 children, and Charlotte took a great interest in their upbringing, especially that of her daughters.

The identity of the artist is unknown.