Queen Charlotte (1744-1818) was the daughter of Charles, Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz and wife of King George III. Their eldest son became Prince Regent in 1810 and King George IV in 1820, and was succeeded by their second son, King William IV in 1830. The present picture relates to the full-length version in the Royal Collection painted at Windsor in 1796, for King George III who was much 'delighted with the picture'. There are several full-length versions including that in the Lee of Fareham Collection (Courtauld Institute) and another at Upton Park which is said to be that sold in the artist's studio sale held at Christie's in 1836. It has been suggested that the present picture was a copy made by the artist for the Duke of Kent who wrote to his mother that she had promised him 'a half-length copy of your picture by Beachy' (see O. Millar, op. cit., p.6).