Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's friend, Misan Harriman, has announced that a portrait of the Sussexes has been accepted into the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in London, whose patron is the Princess of Wales.
Harriman shared several images on social media, including one of him signing the picture with the caption: "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. A dream fulfilled."
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 captures Harry and Meghan holding hands and gazing dramatically into the distance. Notable for its lighting and soft focus, the color shots from the same event show Meghan wearing a bright red blouse and trousers from the eco-friendly brand Another Tomorrow, paired with heels and gold hoops, while Prince Harry is dressed in a dark blue suit.
The National Portrait Gallery houses one of the world's greatest collections of portraits, spanning the last six centuries. The Princess of Wales, formerly the Duchess of Cambridge, became its patron in January 2012, one of her first five patronages after marrying Prince William. Her first solo public engagement 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, "Hold Still." As patron, Kate has no influence over which portraits are added to the gallery's collection.
Misan Harriman is a vocal supporter of Harry and Meghan and frequently covers their work privately. He was the only photographer invited to document their recent quasi-royal trip to Nigeria, his birthplace. Harriman also took remote pictures from the UK of Harry and a pregnant Meghan in the US to announce they were expecting their second baby, Lilibet.
A spokesperson from the National Portrait Gallery stated that there are currently no immediate plans to display the work. "As it has just been delivered, it will need to go through our cataloging process before it's available on our website," they said. The portrait is still undergoing evaluation to determine if it should be displayed.
The National Portrait Gallery responded to inquiries about Harriman's statement, clarifying that the picture was submitted and accepted for evaluation, but no decision has been made yet about its display. "We haven't started the evaluation process, and no decision has been reached," the gallery stated.
Some critics argue that Harriman's photographs, often heavily edited, do not belong in the National Portrait Gallery. They claim that his images, particularly of Harry and Meghan, are excessively photoshopped. For example, Prince Harry appears with an unusually full head of hair, and Meghan's complexion looks flawless and youthful. Critics suggest that Harriman's work lacks authenticity and that there are many more talented and deserving artists whose portraits should take priority.
The controversy has sparked debate over whether the portrait will ultimately be displayed, with some suggesting it could lead to claims of racism if it is rejected. However, others believe that the decision will be based on artistic merit and public opinion rather than any alleged bias.
