Princess Charlotte was the only child of George, Prince of Wales (later Prince Regent and George IV), and Princess (later Queen) Caroline. She married Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld in 1816. A difficult pregnancy was followed by a fifty-hour labour which resulted in a still-born son; the princess died five hours later on 6 November 1817. These two deaths caused an outbreak of national mourning and ended the direct line of succession for George III. This eye-miniature is remarkable not only for the circumstances of its commission as a memorial after the death of Princess Charlotte, but also as a very rare example where the sitter’s identity is known. Furthermore, it is exceptionally rare for an eye-miniature to be displayed on top of the hair of the sitter.