Crown Princess Sofia Magdalena, married two years earlier to the future Gustav III, wears her powdered hair swept up over pads and decorated with diamonds, sapphires and black feathers. Although she is in full gala dress, with an ermine mantle and diamond jewellery, the portrait seems to capture a moment in time. Sofia Magdalena turns to the viewer and gathers the folds of her mantle in her right hand, half-covering the portrait miniature she wears on her breast.