Princess Helena, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein is shown with head and shoulders to the front and looking to the left. She wears a purple evening dress lined with fur, a pearl necklace, and a dramatic jewelled clasp and pendant.

The third child and fifth daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Helena married the impoverished German Prince Christian of Schleswig-Holstein in 1866 but remained close to her mother. The couple lived in Britain and Helena, along with her youngest sister, Princess Beatrice, became the Queen's unofficial secretary.

This portrait was painted for Queen Victoria, who described it as 'a splendid Picture'. Von Angeli was paid £150 for the portrait in 1875 and it was placed in the Queen's Sitting-Room at Osborne House.