Princess Amelia (1783-1810) was the youngest daughter of George III. The six daughters in the family lived secluded lives and their parents were reluctant to allow them to marry. Princess Amelia, the king's favourite daughter, suffered from poor health and from the age of 15 it became clear that she had tuberculosis. In 1801, she was sent to Weymouth for her health where Colonel Charles Fitzroy (1762–1831), second son of Lord Southampton, accompanied her. She hoped to marry him and told her brother, the Duke of York, that she considered herself married, even using the initials A. F. R. (Amelia FitzRoy). She died in 1810 and news of her death seems to have contributed to the final collapse of her father’s health.

Andrew Robertson (1777-1845) painted the prototype for this miniature in 1807 when he went to Windsor to paint the queen and the princesses. He explained in his diary why Princess Amelia is depicted in outdoor clothes: ‘Princess Amelia sat, lovely creature, fine features, melting eye, charming figure, elegant, dignified, finest hair imaginable – sits in her hat, cap, etc. however, because the Duke of Sussex [her brother] likes the dress – none of her fine hair seen. She is quite indifferent about her looks. She cannot be unconscious about her beauty, but no one ever thought less of it, or more careless of embellishment, further than her own comfort and respect for society requires’. Shortly before the princess died, Robertson was recalled to Windsor by George III to make replicas. The artist recorded: ‘I have to paint copies for all the family, that is, nearly all have given directions to that effect’. Henry Bone painted copies for the Prince Regent (RCIN421928 and 404272).

Andrew Robertson was born in Aberdeen, the son of an architect. He was very musical and became director of concerts in Aberdeen at the age of 16. He taught drawing, miniature painting and portraiture and received his Master of Arts in 1794 in Aberdeen. In 1801, Robertson went to London and entered the Royal Academy Schools, exhibiting in London and Edinburgh between1802 and 1842. In 1805, he was appointed miniature painter to the Duke of Sussex and exhibited portraits of him as lieutenant colonel of the Loyal North Britons, a volunteer regiment raised to repel Napoleon's threatened invasion of England. In 1807, he became secretary of the newly-founded society, the Associated Artists in Water Colour, where he exhibited portraits of the princesses in 1808.

The miniature is signed and dated on the right with the monogram AR 1800, and inscribed by the artist on the back in ink: painted by A. Robertson 33 Gerrard street London 1810, and in different handwriting: A. Robertson pinx.