We already know that the ongoing feud between Prince Harry, 38, and Prince William, 40, is really affecting Kate Middleton and other members of the royal family, but it has now gone one step further! According to reports, the feuding brothers’ portrait by Nicola ‘Nicky’ Philipps in the National Portrait Gallery, which was first unveiled in 2010, has been removed, suggesting that their feud might not be resolved any time soon!
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Prince Harry And Prince William's Portrait Removed
The National Portrait Gallery has undergone a bit of a makeover (a three-year renovation to be exact!) but the royal brothers' portrait, which received a lot of praise over the years, will not be included when it reopens to the public on June 22nd. The portrait was last seen at the gallery between March and August 2018, before being included in the Tudors to Windsors touring exhibition between 2018 and 2021.
According to The Times, the National Portrait Gallery hasn’t explicitly said that the brothers' ongoing feud was the reason for its removal, nor did Kensington Palace suggest that the portrait was removed at their request.
A Statement From A National Portrait Gallery Spokesperson
A gallery spokesperson simply said: "Decisions relating to the portraits on display at the National Portrait Gallery are made by the gallery’s curatorial team. With over 250,000 portraits in our collection, we are only able to display a small percentage within our building, however, as one of the world’s largest and most important collections of portraits, we regularly lend and tour our works, both nationally and internationally."
The Times did mention, however, that the portrait could be "regarded as a painful reminder of the rift at the heart of the royal family." And interestingly, as the Princess of Wales, 41, is a patron of the National Portrait Gallery (and given how it’s been reported several times that she has been deeply affected by the royal rift) its removal seems to make perfect sense! Let’s hope that its removal, much like the feud, is temporary!
Artist Recalls How 'Utterly Charming' Harry And William Were During The Process
The brothers' current relationship must be such a huge contrast to the way Philipps remembers them, as she recalled that they were "utterly charming" when they met. "William and Harry sat for five sessions of one-and-a-half hours each—three times together, twice separately," Philipps told the Sunday Times back in 2022, before going on to talk about how they were behaving throughout the process.
Philipps recalled how they "were looking at each other, talking and laughing" and that "William was very much the protective elder brother, straightening Harry’s belt. It was perfect, so I asked them to stay that way." She added: "They were both utterly charming, quick-witted, and great fun. Harry was a very different man back then. I suppose my painting has acquired historic significance."
