The Austen novel dedicated to the Prince Regent was Emma. Jane Austen published the novel in December 1815, although the title page was dated 1816, and the first edition included a formal dedication to the Prince Regent.
The dedication followed an encounter with the royal household. James Stanier Clarke, the Prince Regent’s librarian at Carlton House, showed Austen around the library at the Prince’s request and indicated that she should dedicate a future work to him. Austen consequently dedicated Emma to the Prince Regent and sent a presentation copy to Carlton House in December 1815.
The Prince Regent was George, Prince of Wales, who later became King George IV in 1820. Austen reportedly disliked him because of his personal conduct, but she could not easily refuse a request connected to the powerful patronage of the royal household.
Some readers encounter editions without the dedication and assume it belonged to another Austen novel. Later reissues, including Richard Bentley’s 1833 edition, omitted the dedication page. That editorial change explains why it is not present in every copy of Emma.