This colossal marble bust of the British military hero, Admiral Horatio Nelson, was commissioned by William IV to the sculptor Sir Francis Chantrey in 1830. It was to be placed in the Guard Chamber at Windsor Castle on top of the stump of the foremast of HMS Victory, which Nelson had commanded, and onboard which he was fatally wounded, at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Chantrey completed the bust in 1835. Nelson is depicted with his hair brushed forwards and parted in centre, dressed in admiral's uniform and displaying the ribbons of Bath and St Ferdinand, the Stars of Bath, St Ferdinand and the Crescent, and two Naval Gold Medals (St Vincent and the Nile).

Like his brother and predecessor, George IV, William IV had a passion for acquiring busts of military heroes and for the Guard Chamber he also commissioned the busts of the Duke of Marlborough and Duke of Wellington.

William IV, when Duke of Clarence and St Andrews, had served with Horatio Nelson on the West Indies, where they become close friends and the admiration they felt for each other is evident in their correspondence.