This miniature is based on a portrait (RCIN 401011) by Sir Thomas Gainsborough which was painted 'from remembrance' in 1782.

Alfred (1780-82) was the 14th child and ninth son of King George III and Queen Charlotte. Alfred became ill after his inoculation with the smallpox virus. In June 1782, he was taken to Deal to recover with his nurse, Lady Charlotte Finch, but the sea air did not improve his condition. When he returned to Windsor in August he had only a few weeks to live. According to Lady Charlotte, Queen Charlotte 'cried vastly' and was 'very much hurt by her loss and the King also'.

The identity of the artist is unknown but it has been suggested that it may have been painted by Anne Mee (1780/5-1851), who was the daughter of the artist John Foldsone. She was educated in London and was a protégée and pupil of the portrait painter George Romney. She obtained the patronage of George IV, when he was prince of Wales, and she was working at Windsor Castle in 1790 and 1791. Her portraits are often characterised by large eyes. By 1804 she was able to ask as much as 40 guineas for a miniature.

The miniature is set in a plain gold rim engraved on the back: P. Alfred / Born Sep. 22 / 1780 / Died Aug. 20 / 1782.