Prince Edward is wearing the uniform of the Royal Fusiliers and the star of the Order of the Garter. This is one of a series of miniatures of the royal brothers painted by Edward Miles in the early 1790s. Some scholars have identified the sitter as Frederick, Duke of York but, judging from the uniform, he is the younger brother, Prince Edward. Edward was appointed Colonel of the Royal Fusiliers in April 1791. It was probably painted between his return from Gibraltar and departure for North America in May 1791.

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767–1820), was the fourth son of George III (1738–1820) and Queen Charlotte (1744–1818). He spent his career in the army and in 1785 was sent to Lüneburg in his father's Electorate of Hanover, where he joined the Hanoverian foot guards. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1786. In 1818, he married Victoria Mary Louisa of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1786–1861) and their daughter Victoria, the future Queen, was born the following year. He died of pneumonia in 1820 and was buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor, on 11 February.

Edward Miles (1752-1828) was born at Yarmouth in Norfolk. He became an errand boy to a surgeon who encouraged him in drawing. In 1771, he went to London and entered the Royal Academy Schools. He was appointed Miniature Painter to the Duchess of York in 1792 and to Queen Charlotte in 1794. He was Court Painter to the Tsar in St Petersburg from 1797 to 1806. He finally settled in Philadelphia, where he became a founder member of the Academy.

The original locket back is preserved with the miniature, set with plaited light brown hair.