Tonight:
2°c
First portrait of William and Harry unveiled at National Portrait Gallery
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent6 Jan 2010
They may be dressed in military uniform but the pose is casual.
Artist Nicky Philipps has captured the "brotherly relationship" of Princes William and Harry in the first commissioned portrait of them together.
The work was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery today.
The princes sat for Philipps between August and December 2008 in the Household Cavalry Number One Dress Ceremonial uniform, known as "the Blues", which they wore for the Queen's birthday parade that year.
At the time William was a lieutenant in the Household Cavalry, although he is now training to be a search and rescue pilot with the RAF, while Harry was - and remains - a lieutenant in the same regiment.
Philipps, 45, who lives and works in South Kensington, said the princes were "very good company".
"Although I was commissioned to paint them in their official context, I hope I have also captured some of the brotherly banter that characterised the sittings," she said.
It was, she added, a "behind-the-scenes glance at the human element of royal responsibility" and emphasised their "brotherly relationship".
The National Portrait Gallery's director, Sandy Nairne, said the portrait "captures them formally dressed, but informally posed."
The brothers are pictured in the library of Clarence House, the home of the late Queen Mother, which has been their official residence since 2002. William is wearing a riband, the blue garter sash, and a Jubilee medal which was given to him at the Queen's Jubilee, and his Garter Star medal, which he received when he became a Knight of the Garter in June 2008. Harry is also wearing a Jubilee medal and his campaign medal from Afghanistan.
The painting of the princes, now aged 27 and 25, can be seen free in the Contemporary Galleries alongside other royal portraits from the last century.
Reader views (11)
Lovely mixture of the formal - the uniforms and the setting - and the informal - the poses; plus the capture of warm brotherly relationships.
- Gerry, exeter england, 07/01/2010 10:36
Report abuse
A superb effort! Aside the informality of the moment, the artist has captured the features and likelness of the princes very well.
- Alex Lee, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 07/01/2010 06:01
Report abuse
wonderful portrait, I wonder if they were a problem to pose together or did they fidget a lot
- M Lovell, kent uk, 06/01/2010 22:53
Report abuse
This is a really beautiful painting,excellent work.
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey, 06/01/2010 17:14
Report abuse
What a bunch of sycophants. Is anyone really interested in these two wasters?
- Kerry, Purley, 06/01/2010 16:34
Report abuse
When are people going to stop fawning over the royal family? Makes me sick.
- Miles, London, 06/01/2010 16:29
Report abuse
I think William's head is too small, but I don't know the artist.
- Bailey, Tring, UK, 06/01/2010 16:00
Report abuse
An extremely good painting and of the two, I think she has captured Harry exactly as he is.
- I Sharland, Swindon, Wilts, 06/01/2010 15:11
Report abuse
Fabulous painting Nicky - so natural - captures the formality of the uniform with the informality of the close brotherly bond! Everyone in the Wheatley household agrees - we look forward to seeing it in the flesh on our next venture up to London.
- Buffy Wheatley, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, UK, 06/01/2010 14:46
Report abuse
Brilliant, Nicky, just brilliant. And Jack'd have enjoyed it so much too....
- Sue Warner, Haverfordwest, Wales, 06/01/2010 13:05
Report abuse
I like this painting, and I'll go down to NPG to see it for myself. Well done to the artist!
- Issy, London, 06/01/2010 12:21
Report abuse
