William is depicted wearing armour and the ribbon of the Order of the Garter. He was not regarded as particularly handsome, but Horace Walpole, art historian and writer, commented: 'I have seen many worse figures: his face was good'.

William IV, Prince of Orange, arrived in England in 1734 for his marriage to Anne, Princess Royal, eldest daughter of King George II and Queen Caroline. His health was not good so he went to Bath to take the waters for a few weeks, and they were married on 14 March in the Chapel Royal adjoining St James's Palace. Lord Hervey, who oversaw the arrangements for the marriage, reported in his memoirs of court life and intrigues that Anne's response to the news of her bridegroom's arrival was to continue playing her harpsichord as if nothing of significance had happened.

The identity of the artist is unknown, although another miniature version, signed by G. Haag (or Hoog) is in the Rijksmuseum (A4318).