Feodora was Queen Victoria's half-sister from their mother's first marriage and the two were very close. Feodora had married Ernest, Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, in 1828 and she and Adelaide were in England for the Queen's marriage. Victoria recorded 'I think our dear Sister looking well, but changed – her face grows so very long… I never saw such a little love as Ada, even Albert, who hates children, – likes her and plays with her'. Feodora described her daughter as having 'the sweetest disposition I ever met with in a child'.

Signed and dated: 'George Hayter pinxit / Windsor Castle. 1840'. Inscribed on the back with the names of the artists and sitters and the date, 1840.