Prince William (1765-1837), Duke of Clarence, is wearing the uniform of Admiral of the Fleet with the star of the Order of the Garter. This miniature is not a copy of any known large-scale portrait and was probably painted from life to celebrate his appointment as Admiral of the Fleet in 1811.

It is thought that this miniature may be by Robert Bowyer (c. 1758-1834), who painted a number of naval officers, including Lord Nelson. Prince William was Lord Nelson’s best man at his wedding in 1797. Bowyer is said to have started his career by painting his own portrait for his sweetheart, Mary Shoveller, who later became his wife. He was taught miniature painting by John Smart and was appointed guardian to Smart’s children when Smart travelled to India. He exhibited at the Free Society of Artists in 1782 and at the Royal Academy between 1783 and 1828. Bowyer was appointed miniature painter to King George III after the death of Jeremiah Meyer in 1789. He turned to publishing at one point in his career, and was partly responsible for David Hume’s Illustrated History of England (1792-1805). In 1796, his only daughter died and following this tragedy, Bowyer and his wife took into their household a young, orphan, Catherine Andras, a wax modeller from Bristol.

The miniature is inscribed on the backing paper in ink: H.R.H. / The D. of Clarence / [K. William IV].