Reginald Easton began work as an engraver but later took up watercolour and miniature painting. He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1835  until 1887, from addresses in London although he was resident, c.1850, at Leamington, Warwickshire. He became particularly well known among aristocratic circles for his miniature portraits of children.

Princess Irene of Hesse, third daughter of Louis IV, Grand Duke of Hesse, and Princess Alice, Queen Victoria's second daughter, married, in 1888, her first cousin, Prince Henry of Prussia, second son of Emperor Frederick III of Germany, and Victoria, Princess Royal. Two of their three sons suffered from haemophilia, one, Prince Henry, dying in infancy. The Prince and Princess of Prussia were close to the British Royal Family, particularly King George V and Queen Mary, before the outbreak of the First World War. Prince Henry then commanded the German Navy, and Princess Irene's eldest sister's husband, Prince Louis of Battenberg, was in command of the British Fleet as First Sea Lord. Following the war, Princess Irene lived quietly at Hemmelmark, near Kiel, and died in 1953, the last survivor of Princess Alice's daughters.

Inscribed on the reverse in ink, probably by Queen Victoria: Princess Irene / of Hesse. b / July 11, 1866, / 3d. daughter of / Pce. Louis of Hesse / & Pcess. Alice of / Gt. Britain / & Ireland. / painted by R. Easton / July 1868.