Prince William (1765-1837) was the third son of George III and the brother of George IV. At 13, he was sent into the Royal Navy and joined a 98-gun ship, the Prince George, as a midshipman in 1779, and saw action within a year. His brothers called him affectionately, 'our dear little blasted seaman' and in later life he was nicknamed 'The Sailor King'. He spent two years in Hanover to finish his education, then went back to sea. In 1786, aged 21, William took command of a 28-gun frigate. He was described as being 'about 5 foot 7 or 8 inches high' with a 'good complexion and fair hair' by a contemporary. He retired from the navy in 1790.

Jeremiah Meyer (1735-89) was born in Germany and his father was portrait painter to the Duke of Württemberg. He came to England about 1749 and studied under the artist Christian Friedrich Zincke. Meyer was commissioned to paint the King's miniature portrait, set in an oval of diamonds in the pearl bracelet given to Princess Charlotte as an engagement present. He also drew the King's profile for the new coinage which earned him a gold medal from the Society of Arts in 1761. He was appointed Miniature Painter to the Queen and Enamel Painter to the King in 1764. A founder member of the Royal Academy, he exhibited miniatures, enamels and watercolour drawings from 1769 to 1783. When he died, according to a contemporary, Charlotte Papendiek, Meyer's widow sent his remaining miniatures, including portraits of the royal family, to the sitters without making a charge. The Queen was so pleased that 'she liberally rewarded Mrs Meyer for her honourable conduct'.

The miniature is set in a diamond ring.