03 June 2023 , 20:49
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A 'sweet' official portrait of Prince William and Prince Harry will no longer be shown in the National Portrait Gallery, it has been confirmed.
The painting by Nicky Philips, which was unveiled 13 years ago, hung in the gallery in London prior to its recent £35million three-year refurbishment.
But it will not be on display when the hallowed art institution finally reopens later this month.
It comes as the family feud between the brothers continues to rage on, with no sign of reconciliation despite Harry's claims earlier this year that he is "open" for a chat about their past.
The decision to remove the painting was made by curators at the gallery and not the Royal Family, according to The Times.
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The artwork depicts the two princes in their 20s wearing the dress uniform of the Blue and Royals cavalry regiment (Tim Clarke)Commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery in early 2008, the artwork depicts the two princes - both in their 20s at the time - in the dress uniform of the Blue and Royals cavalry regiment.
It reflected a much less tumultuous point in their brotherly relationship, with artist Ms Philipps speaking at the time of how they appeared "so sweet, so close" as they sat for the portrait at her home in South Kensington.
Sandy Nairne, the director of the gallery, said at the time: "The first portrait of the princes captures them formally dressed, but informally posed.
Artist Nicky Philipps said the pair appeared 'so sweet, so close' when they sat for the portrait in 2008 (PA)"It is a delightful image, which extends the tradition of royal portraiture."
A National Portrait Gallery spokesman told the Express.co.uk: "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.
"This portrait by Nicky Philipps was included in a touring exhibition, Tudors to Windsors, which travelled between 2018 and 2021. The portrait was last displayed at the gallery between March and August 2018."