Ernest I was Prince Albert's father. His marriage to Albert's mother, Princess Louise, was unhappy due to his infidelity, and they separated in 1824 and divorced in 1826. Prince Albert and Queen Victoria were, however, extremely fond of him. On his death in 1844 the Queen wrote of 'our present overwhelming grief…our Dearly beloved Father, was the kindest & best of Parents, - of Relations & of Princes…'. Princess Feodora, Queen Victoria's half-sister, remembered 'how happy he always was to show his favourite places and the improvements and alterations he had made; he has left many monuments of his excellent tastes & talents'.

The sitter is here shown wearing morning dress of black overcoat, white waistcoat and shirt, with a black scarf about his neck and the riband and Star of the Order of the Garter.