Princess Mary was the eldest daughter of Charles I who in 1641, at the age of nine, married William II of Orange at the Chapel Royal, Whitehall. Their son later acceded to the throne as William III.

This painting is probably a second, studio version of a portrait type presumably evolved by Van Dyck soon after the marriage. The Princess wears her wedding ring and the large diamond brooch given to her by her husband on 13 May 1641, the day after their wedding. The Princess's coral dress is very like the one worn at the wedding and is decorated with silver thread embroidery.

The prime version of this painting (Sold Christie's, London 17 Nov 1989, Lot 41) shows clear signs of having been painted from life. While this version is less spontaneous, nevertheless it shows signs of Van Dyck's own hand and there is a slight pentimento in the left shoulder.