Portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry
| Portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Nicky Philipps |
| Completion date | 2009 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 137.4 cm × 147.5 cm (54.1 in × 58.1 in) |
| Location | National Portrait Gallery, London |
Portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry is an oil-on-canvas painting by Nicky Philipps. It is part of the collection of the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) in London. The painting depicts Prince William and Prince Harry in conversation . It was commissioned by trustees of the NPG in 2009.[1][2]
Description
[edit]Sittings for the painting began in 2008 and continued into the following year.[3] Philipps's double-portrait of the brothers was unveiled at the National Portrait Gallery in London, on 6 January 2010.[4] The two royals are painted wearing the dress uniform of the Blues and Royals, one of the regiments of the Household Cavalry, in the setting of Clarence House, their official residence and the home of their father, the then Prince of Wales.[1] William also wears the the star and blue sash of the Order of the Garter.[5] Above Harry's right shoulder a panting of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother is slightly visible and her private collection of paintings can be seen behind William.[5] This was the first work of art that depicted the brothers together without being surrounded by other individuals.[4]
"The first portrait of the princes captures them formally dressed, but informally posed. It is a delightful image which extends the tradition of royal portraiture," said National Portrait Gallery director Sandy Nairne at the time of the unveiling.[6] In 2018 and to mark the 70th birthday of their father, the then Prince Charles, sketches from his personal art collection went on display, including preparatory oil sketches Philipps had produced of the princes in preparation for her portrait.[7][8]
The portrait was last displayed at the gallery between March and August 2018 and then became part of the touring exhibition, Tudors to Windsors, which travelled between 2018 and 2021.[9] In June 2023, it was reported that following the gallery's refurbishment and reopening the painting had been removed from public display, which some commentators linked to the reported rift between the brothers following Harry's decision to step back from his royal duties.[10][11] The NPG and Kensington Palace stated that the decision to remove the painting was not at the request of the palace and such decisions were solely made by the gallery’s curatorial team.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "William, Prince of Wales; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ "William, Prince of Wales; Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex - Nicola Jane ('Nicky') Philipps (b.1964)". Art UK. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ "First portrait of Princes William and Harry unveiled by National Portrait Gallery". The Telegraph. 6 January 2010. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Princes William and Harry portrait goes on display". BBC News. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Princes William and Harry pose in new portrait". CNN. 6 January 2010. Archived from the original on 19 April 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ "'Brotherly banter' in portrait of Princes William and Harry". news.com.au. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2010.
- ^ Taylor, Elise (2 July 2018). "The Palace Releases Never-Before-Seen Paintings of Prince Harry, Prince William, and More British Royals". Vogue. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ Crew, Jemma (2 July 2018). "Rare royal art goes on display at palace for summer visitors". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ a b Low, Valentine (2 June 2023). "National Portrait Gallery won't show William and Harry painting". The Times. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ Ng, Kate (5 June 2023). "National Portrait Gallery removes painting of Prince William and Prince Harry from display". The Independent. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ Burack, Emily (13 June 2023). "Why Did the National Portrait Gallery Remove a Double Portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry?". Town & Country. Retrieved 4 August 2025.