Portrait of Prince Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex (1773-1843) Thomas Phillips

Three quarter length portrait of the Duke of Sussex, seated on the President's chair of the Royal Society, the red leather upholstery surmounted by the Society's coat-of-arms. Sussex is turned slightly to the right as viewed. On a table to the left rests portfolio of papers and the Society's silver gilt mace. The table is covered by a blue cloth edged with a gold fringe. Sussex wears a black velvet suit with matching tasselled cap, knee breeches and grey silk stockings. On his left leg is the garter with the motto partly visible ["Honi soit qui mal y pense"]. He wears the Order of the Garter star and blue ribbon with an additional red ribbon from the neck from which hangs the oval medallion of Knight Grand Cross, Order of the Bath. Beneath these a white high-collared shirt and waistcoat, the latter colourfully embroidered. Sussex's right elbow rests on the table and there are rings on the little and ring fingers of this hand. The left hand holds a sheaf of papers, the topmost reading: "Royal Society. Address of His Royal Highness The Duke of Sussex President Nov. 30 1838." Augustus Frederick was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1828, he served as its President from 1830 to 1838.

Original: oil on canvas, 1439x1130mm. ca. 1838