Double portrait of princes unveiled

A visitor to the National Portrait Gallery admires the portrait
12 April 2012

Prince William and Prince Harry have been immortalised in paint in the first double portrait of the royals.

The painting of the brothers, shown in military uniform, was unveiled to the public at London's National Portrait Gallery.

William, 27, and Harry, 25, are depicted "in conversation" wearing the formal dress uniform of the Household Cavalry's Blues and Royals during an imagined moment just before they leave Clarence House to take part in the 2008 Trooping the Colour ceremony.

Sandy Nairne, director of the gallery which commissioned the artwork, said the royals had seen the double portrait privately before Christmas and were "very pleased" with the work of artist Nicky Philipps.

Philipps, who spent more than six months painting the royal brothers during five sittings which began in August 2008, said: "I wanted to capture just what was there in front of me to be honest."

The second-in-line to the throne is painted in a casual pose leaning against a doorway in Clarence House's library while his younger sibling is seated close by and shown in profile.

Harry has a hint of a smile and has his right hand on his leg and holds a pair of white gloves in the other. His brother looks towards him and holds his sword hilt in his left hand and his military cap and gloves in the other.

The artist praised the royal brothers' powers of endurance during the creation of the double portrait, saying: "They were extremely obliging and they were very patient. When I wasn't talking to them they would chat together which made life great for me too."

Speaking about the royal brothers, gallery director Mr Nairne said: "They were both very positive about taking part and were very pleased with the finished work."

He added that the work would be on display for the next six months before being returned to the gallery's collection.

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