Princess Augusta (1797-1889) was the third daughter of Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, and Caroline Polyxene of Nassau-Usingen. In 1818, she married Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge. They had three children. Until Queen Victoria came to the throne when the Hanoverian and British crowns were separated, they lived in Hanover where the Duke acted as viceroy on behalf of his brothers, King George IV and King William IV. In 1837, they returned to Britain and lived at Cambridge Cottage in Kew and later St. James’s Palace.

The miniature was painted by her sister Marie, Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (1796-1880). She was the second daughter of Frederick, landgrave of Hesse-Cassel. In 1817, she married George, Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.

The miniature is signed and dated on the left in red paint: Marie / 1820. It is set in a gold locket with a lock of fair hair on red silk in the back, and a ribbon cartouche (scroll) engraved with her name.