Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have received a new honor amid the ongoing royal crisis, as they are portrayed as historical British royal figures in a series of new works.
Welsh portrait artist Dan Llywelyn Hall has produced ten new portraits inspired by royalty throughout history to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Society of Antiquaries. These portraits will be displayed at an exhibition at Burlington House on Piccadilly in London.
Among the portraits, two prominently feature Harry and Meghan. Harry is depicted as Bonnie Prince Charlie, while Meghan is portrayed as Dame Elizabeth Grey, Queen of England by marriage to King Edward IV.
Hall commented, "The Royal Family is possibly the most enthralling longest-running drama in history, the inspiration of theatre, books and every art form. It seemed that these figures caught on the knife edge of public opinion were ideal for drawing comparisons from distant monarchs—like the exiled princes and princesses of the past that lurk in the background but are still irrevocably tied to the job. We can't help ourselves and wonder whatever next?"
Regarding Meghan’s portrait, titled "Returning White Queen," Hall explained, "I thought putting Meghan in the role of the White Queen, who was a Queen Consort and possibly the most influential 'outsider' in royal history, might have a fine irony to it and not necessarily beyond the realms of reality."
For Harry’s portrait, titled "Spectre Of The Bonny Prince," Hall said, "I have entered the story before he met Meghan—the young party-goer with his future very much in the balance, a bit like the Bonnie Prince I have likened him to."
Dan Llywelyn Hall first rose to fame when he was commissioned by the Welsh Rugby Union to create a portrait of Elizabeth II in 2012, making him the youngest artist, at 32, to paint the monarch. Since then, he has painted various notable subjects, including Prince William, the Queen's funeral, King Charles III's Coronation procession, and Nigel Farage.
Reflecting on his previous and latest pieces of royal art, Hall stated, "I see the subject of royalty [as] utterly irresistible and rich succour for art. The funeral piece and the subsequent King's Coronation piece are part of that lineage and my part in interpreting our times."
With these new portraits, Harry and Meghan join the ranks of historical royal figures, highlighting their ongoing influence and the public’s fascination with their story.
