Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's friend has announced that a portrait of the Sussexes has been accepted into the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London.
This gallery, which is patronized by the Princess of Wales, has added the portrait taken by the photographer Misan Harriman. Harriman shared several images on social media, showing him signing the portrait with the message: "I'm humbled and proud to announce that my portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is now part of the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery."
The image is part of a series taken in September 2022, when the couple attended the opening of the One Young World Summit in Manchester. The portrait depicts Harry and Meghan holding hands and gazing dramatically into the distance, noted for its distinctive lighting and soft focus. In color photographs from the same event, Meghan is seen wearing a bright red blouse and trousers from the eco-friendly brand Another Tomorrow, along with heels and gold hoop earrings, while Prince Harry is dressed in a dark blue suit.
The National Portrait Gallery boasts one of the world's greatest collections of portraits, spanning the last six centuries. The Princess of Wales, who was the Duchess of Cambridge before her marriage to Prince William, became its patron in January 2012. One of her first solo public engagements was the opening of the Lucian Freud Portraits exhibition at the gallery's London home. She later collaborated with the gallery on a lockdown photography project called "Hold Still." Despite her role as patron, Kate does not influence which portraits are added to the gallery's collection.
Misan Harriman is a vocal supporter of Harry and Meghan and is frequently invited to document their work privately. He was the only photographer invited to cover their recent quasi-royal trip to Nigeria, his birthplace. Harriman also took remote photographs from the UK of Harry and Meghan to announce they were expecting their second baby.
A spokesperson from the National Portrait Gallery stated there are no immediate plans to display the portrait. It has just been delivered and will need to go through the gallery’s cataloging process before it becomes available on the website. The picture is still under evaluation to determine if it should be displayed or not.
When contacted regarding Harriman's statement, the gallery clarified that the picture was accepted for evaluation to determine whether or not it will be displayed. The evaluation process has not yet started, and no decision has been reached. There appears to be a discrepancy between Harriman's claims and the gallery's official stance.
Critics argue that Harriman’s work, which often appears heavily edited, lacks the authenticity required for the National Portrait Gallery. They contend that his images of Harry and Meghan are excessively airbrushed, altering their appearances significantly. These critics believe that more talented and deserving artists should have their work prioritized over Harriman’s doctored photograph.
The inclusion of this portrait in the National Portrait Gallery is controversial, with some suggesting it could be used to accuse the gallery of racism if it is not displayed. This situation underscores the polarizing nature of Harry and Meghan's public image, particularly in the UK, Australia, Canada, and beyond.
