Summary
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s portrait won’t be displayed by the National Portrait Gallery, despite its acquisition. The black and white image, captured by friend Misan Harriman, was added to the collection but lacks plans for public exhibition. This incident highlights broader issues regarding royal representation and the Royal Collection’s focus.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle faced a setback as the National Portrait Gallery in London announced it will not display their newly acquired portrait. The black and white image, taken by their friend Misan Harriman at the One Young World summit in Manchester two years ago, was added to the gallery’s collection in May 2024 but won’t be shown publicly. A spokesperson stated that there are no current plans to exhibit the portrait despite it being digitised and available online. The National Portrait Gallery, renowned for its extensive portrait collection, was patronised by Princess Kate, who does not influence which pieces are exhibited. Additionally, recent reports highlighted that Meghan Markle does not feature in the Royal Collection, which consists of over a million items related to the monarchy. While certain portraits are added, they typically come from donations or commissions rather than automatic inclusion.
The National Portrait Gallery is one of the most prestigious galleries globally, housing significant royal portraits. This incident underscores the complexities of royal representations in public art and highlights the limitations of the Royal Collection, which is carefully curated. The relationship between the gallery and the royal family, including Princess Kate’s role, adds another layer of intrigue as to why certain works are exhibited or stored away.
The refusal of the National Portrait Gallery to display Harry and Meghan’s portrait underscores their ongoing challenges within the royal narrative. It also raises questions about the representation of modern royals in historical collections and the public’s perception of them.
Original Source: www.express.co.uk