Prince Harry, Meghan Markle return to royal fold with new titles

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have received new honour amid ongoing royal crisis.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been portrayed as historical British royal figures in a series of new works.

Welsh portrait artist Dan Llywelyn Hall has produced 10 new portraits inspired by royalty throughout history for the 150th anniversary of the Society of Antiquaries – which will go on display at an exhibition at Burlington House on Piccadilly in London.

The painter’s two most prominent portraits focus on Harry and Meghan – who are depicted respectively as Bonnie Prince Charlie and Dame Elizabeth Grey, Queen of England by marriage to King Edward IV.

He said: “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?”

Llywelyn Hall, detailing about Meghan’s portrait, called Returning White Queen, said: “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.”

While on his Harry headshot, a piece entitled Spectre Of The Bonny Prince, the artist 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 had risen to fame when he was commissioned by the Welsh Rugby Union to create a portrait of Elizabeth II, making him the youngest artist, at 32, to paint the monarch – in 2012.

In the 12 years since, the artist has painted actual subjects including Prince William, the Queen’s funeral, King Charles III’s Coronation procession and Nigel Farage.

Llywelyn,reflecting on his previous and latest pieces of royal art, said: “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.”