This miniature is a copy of Sir Thomas Gainsborough's portrait of Prince Octavius (1779-83) (RCIN 401018) painted in 1782 and exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1783, where it is said to have reduced Queen Charlotte, his mother, and her daughters to tears. This copy was made a year after the Prince's death.

Octavius was the 13th child and eighth son of King George III and Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Six months after the death of his brother Prince Alfred after a smallpox inoculation, Octavius was also inoculated with the virus. He became ill, and died just a few days later. Queen Charlotte wrote to a friend: 'in less than eight and forty hours was my son Octavius, in perfect health, sick and struck with death immediately'. His death devastated his parents, who had adored him. In 1820, the historian Edward Holt described the Prince's character in these words, 'Though Prince Octavius had not passed his fifth year, he was considered very docile, and possessed good-nature in such an uncommon degree, that he was the delight of all about him'. George declared 'There will be no Heaven for me if Octavius is not there'.

The artist, Freiherr (Baron) Johann Heinrich von Hurter (1734-99), was born in Schaffhausen in Switzerland, settled in London about 1777 and exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1779 to 1781. He founded a factory for mathematical and other instruments and in later life split his time between London and Germany.

Inscribed on the enamel on the reverse in black paint: Prince Octavius / born feb: 23rd 1779 / Hurter fec. 1784, and on a paper label the number 5. The reverse of the frame contains a plait of the Prince's hair and is engraved: Prince Octavius Born 23rd Feby 1799 / Died 3rd May 1783 / Vive nel mio Cuor (He lives in my heart).