William V (1748-1806) was the son of William IV of Orange and Princess Anne, daughter of George II. He succeeded his father in 1751 when he was only three years old and a long regency began until he came of age in 1766. He abdicated in 1802. Here William is wearing Windsor uniform (worn by male members of the royal family at Windsor Castle) and the ribbon and star of the Order of the Garter, which he was awarded in 1752.

This miniature was painted by Henry Bone (1755-1834) for George, Prince of Wales in 1801 and is a copy of an oil portrait by John Hoppner, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1800 and now in the Dutch Royal Collection at Het Loo. Bone' squared and numbered preparatory drawing is in the Heinz Archives, National Portrait Gallery, London.

Bone was born in Truro in Cornwall, the son of a woodcarver and cabinet maker, and began his artistic career painting on china for local manufacturers. In about 1779, he moved to London, where he became established as one of the most outstanding enamellists of his day. His children and grandchildren also became miniaturists. He painted designs for lockets, watches and jewellery. He was principally a copyist and his large-scale enamels were based on paintings by Old Masters and leading contemporary artists. He exhibited over 240 items at the Royal Academy between 1781 and 1832, when his eyesight began to fail. He was appointed enamel painter to the future George IV in 1801, before holding the same position to George III from 1809, and later George IV and William IV. Bone could obtain top prices for his work – in 1811 he received 2,200 guineas for his framed Bacchus and Ariadne. He was described by a contemporary as a ‘worthy, kind, liberal and affectionate man’.

The miniature is signed and dated on the lower left HBone 1801, and inscribed by the artist in the reverse in black paint: His Serene Highness William 5 / Prince of Orange and Nassau. / Painted May 1801 by Henry Bone, / Enamel Painter to His Royal Highness / the Prince of Wales after a picture / painted by John Hoppner R.A. Portrait / Painter to H.R.H.