GEORGE KNAPTON | Portrait of Walter Smythe, three-quarter-length, wearing uniform with a fur-lined green cloak

Walter Smythe was the father of Maria Anne Fitzherbert (1756-1837), who became the longtime companion of George Augustus Frederick (1762-1830) before he became King George IV in 1820 - in 1785, they secretly contracted a marriage that was invalid under English civil law because his father, King George III, had not consented to it.

The costume Smythe wears appears to be that of a Hungarian Hussar, although there were no Hussars in the Regular Army until about 1808. It is believed however, though evidence is slight, that the Duke of Cumberland had an escort of German Hussars when he was campaigning against Marshal Saxe in Flanders in the 1740s. These men were probably considered part of the Duke's Household, and were not strictly-speaking soldiers, but rather an unofficial body of 'gentleman volunteers', and the uniform more of a fancy dress. The fact that Smythe's costume is red and dark green also lends some credence to him having served in this escort, as the Duke's livery colours were dark green and pink.