'Harry and William came to my house five times - and neighbours didn't notice'

02 March 2024 , 11:13

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Nicola Philipps is a Welsh artist who rose to prominence in the 2000s as a contemporary portraitist (Image: John Myers)

A woman has met Prince Harry and Prince William at her property five times - and says her neighbours didn't even notice.

Nicky Philipps, 59, has painted Queen Elizabeth II three times as well as a host of other royals and statesmen. The portrait artist was first asked by the National Portrait Gallery to paint a picture of Prince William and Prince Harry together around 14 years ago, a visit before which police inspected Nicky's studio "as though it was a crime scene".

The portrait of the princes was painted when they were serving in the Household Cavalry. They are seen wearing their military uniforms, while Prince William has a sword in his left hand while they pose conversationally beside each other.

Recalling her first encounter at her studio in South Kensington, Central London, Nicky said of the siblings: "They joshed around like any two brothers. They'd finish each other's sentences and they'd tease each other. They couldn't have been easier or nicer, which made it the relaxed piece it is. These two strapping, huge royals were walking in and out of my house in their regalia with their swords and spurs and none of my neighbours had an inkling."

But the portrait has attracted attention for unexpected reasons. "Funnily enough it all blew up last summer with the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery because they'd decided to keep it in the basement where it still is," Nicky continued.

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The 59-year-old woman has done portraits of royals (John Myers)

"A journalist got hold of that and it ended up in The Times that the portrait had been buried because of Harry. The Princess of Wales is the patron of the gallery and she was going to reopen it so you could see why they couldn't have it on display. The cartoonists would have had a field day. At the end of the day it's their picture and they can do what they want with it. It's had its day in the sun. I haven't taken it personally."

Nicky has painted Queen Elizabeth II on three occasions. The first portrait depicts her standing beside her corgis in the robes of the order of the garter, which she sat in for three sessions while Nicky sketched away "chaotically" at the canvas.

The artist added: "The Royal Mail only wanted her face for the stamp but they'd paid for the full thing and didn't mind what I did so I went berserk and painted an enormous portrait. It's now in the throne room in the palace. I think she accepted it because it has her dogs in it. I think she liked that. She was quick to point out they were on her garter robes, though, which she told me was unrealistic because she would never let her dogs on the robes.

A framed photo of Nicola sits on a shelf at Picton Castle (John Myers)

Nicky intends to spend more time at Picton Castle in Pembrokeshire (John Myers)

"From what I remember she actually instigated a lot of the conversation. She spoke about her life and the palace. I recall how she knew every detail about her role. She clearly revelled in it. She loved all of the quirky traditions. There was something about the post.

"She was looking out of the window and was telling me about how the post comes from Clarence House up The Mall in a horse-drawn vehicle. One would think today some of the traditions were ridiculous but I thought they were really rather nice. It's what makes Britain Britain isn't it?

"She then began watching a man running around Green Park in a bright green tracksuit. She was following his progress very closely. 'Here he comes again,' or words to that effect. 'He's done 16 rounds now.' She was very engaging and very giggly."

So chipper that Nicky had to ask her to close her mouth. She continued: "I can't remember how I said it. It was a traumatic moment but she took it well. I don't like people grinning in my portraits. She realised I was under pressure and she did have a look after the third sitting and said something anodyne like: 'Oh yes, very good.' She was a master in not offending anyone. Totally non-committal and quite rightly too.

Jonathon Hill