This miniature was probably painted in or around 1794 when Edward Miles also painted a miniature of Princess Augusta (RCIN 421054), older sister of Princess Sophia. The paint is faded and discoloured.

Princess Sophia (1777-1848) was the fifth daughter of George III and Queen Charlotte and the favourite sister of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Kent. Like her sisters, Sophia led a sheltered early life at Windsor Castle. The King was very attached to his daughters and reluctant to let them marry and leave home. She never married and, after Queen Charlotte's death, lived in Kensington Palace, near the Duchess of Kent and the young Princess Victoria. Like the Duchess, she fell under the influence of Sir John Conroy, who took over her finances and this friendship alienated her from Victoria. Following her death in 1848, it became apparent that Conroy had embezzled most of her money.

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.

Inscribed on the backing card in ink: Princess Sophia, and also on the frame's ribbon cartouche (scroll).