Louise was the second wife of Queen Victoria's uncle Leopold of Saxe-Coburg (1790-1865), who was also an uncle of Prince Albert. His first wife was Princess Charlotte, daughter and only direct heir of George IV; she died in 1817. Leopold became King of the Belgians in 1831 and married Louise, daughter of King Louis-Philippe of France in 1832. Leopold played a great part in the upbringing of Queen Victoria and, once married, he and Louise remained close friends of hers, visiting her frequently. The first visit after she became Queen in 1837 was for three weeks in August and September, staying with her at Windsor and it was during this visit that, as stated on the label, our portrait was painted.

Victoria described Louise, who was seven years older than her, as follows: 'She combines with great cleverness and learning, so much merriment, and has all the liveliness and fun of a girl of 16, with all the sense and deep thought of one of 30.....she is so lovely, so graceful, she had such an angelic expression in her dear eyes, and she dresses so well, morning and evening.'