This is either a prelminary sketch for, or a copy from, a portrait of young Queen Victoria which is now in the Metropolitan Museum, New York. Victoria recorded in her Journal sittings for this portrait in March, April and May 1838. At one of these her 'ladies of honour' were present and the Queen laughed and talked, 'a happy innocent girl of Eighteen'.

This oil sketch was given by Queen Mary to King George V on his birthday in 1923.