Queen Charlotte gave this miniature to her daughter, Princess Augusta, on 26 July 1798. It is a copy of the head of the queen from Sir William Beechey's full-length portrait painted in 1796 (RCIN 405423). 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. '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. 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.

The identity of the artist is unknown but it has been suggested that it may be Lady Beechey (1764-1833/4). Lady Beechey was the second wife of Sir William. She exhibited at the Royal Academy under her maiden name, Anne Phyllis Jessop, in 1787, and under her married name from 1795 to 1805.

Inscribed on the backing card in ink: Mama / given me by her / 26th July 1798.