Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) is wearing a blue and ermine state robe with pearl bows at the shoulders. Charlotte 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. 'She looks very sensible, cheerful, and is remarkably genteel', wrote Horace Walpole, the art historian and writer. 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. Charlotte died, survived by her husband, at Kew Palace on 17 November 1818, and was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor, on 2 December.

This portrait is loosely based on Allan Ramsay's state portrait of the Queen in 1761 (RCIN 405308) but her hair is softer and more informal, and the bluish-grey shadowing gives a silvery effect to this painting. Scholars think the miniature may have been painted by Samuel Finney (1718-98). Finney originally studied law in London but gave it up for painting. He was appointed Enamel and Miniature Painter to Queen Charlotte in 1763 and is said to have copied in miniature the oil portrait brought to England from Strelitz to help the King decide on their marriage. According to his notes he was presented with 'the King's and Queen's picture in large, painted by Mr Ramsey'. He exhibited a portrait of Queen Charlotte at the Society of Artists in 1765, possibly this miniature. Finney retired to Cheshire in 1769 and became a Justice of the Peace.