Britain’s Prince William has unveiled a portrait of his grandmother Queen Elizabeth.
The prince unveiled the painting at a state reception at Government House in Wellington today (10.04.14) and the picture will hang in New Zealand’s Portrait Gallery.
It was painted by Nick Cuthell, a young artist who spends time between New Zealand and London, and the monarch agreed to his request she wore a simple blue day dress accompanied by her silver New Zealand fern brooch.
Keith Ovenden, the gallery’s chairman of trustees said: ”It’s a tremendous honour that Her Majesty has allowed the NZ Portrait Gallery this unique opportunity to paint her from life rather than photographs, which is now more usual.
"The New Zealand Portrait Gallery is a national institution so this portrait now belongs to the people of New Zealand. We hope as many people as possible will come to see it".
The portrait was funded by an anonymous group who wanted to mark their loyalty to the queen in celebration of her 60 years as queen of New Zealand, and gallery director Avenal McKinnon said they felt it was important that the portrait would be on show and freely accessible for all to see.
The portrait will be hung as part of the permanent collection and available for public viewing from Saturday (12.04.14).
Prince William unveils queen portrait
