Harry and Meghan Snubbed by National Portrait Gallery as Their Photo Gets Shelved
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In a fresh setback for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the National Portrait Gallery in London has announced that it will not be displaying their portrait. The gallery, which acquired the black-and-white image of the couple earlier this year, has decided to keep the photograph in its archives rather than showcase it to the public.
The portrait, taken by the Sussexes’ close friend Misan Harriman, captures the couple standing together at the opening of the One Young World summit in Manchester. Despite its significance, the gallery has no plans to exhibit the image, adding to the couple’s ongoing challenges in maintaining their public presence in the UK.
In a statement addressing the decision, a spokesperson for the National Portrait Gallery explained: “The portrait of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was acquired for the Gallery’s photographs collection in May 2024. Following cataloging and its digitization, the portrait was added to our website at the beginning of this month. There are no current plans to display the portrait in the gallery”, reported Daily Mail.
The gallery’s decision to refrain from displaying the portrait of Harry and Meghan comes after reports revealed that their royal collection lacks any photos of Meghan, despite containing over a million images spanning five centuries of British monarchy. The absence of her image in such an extensive archive highlights the couple’s complicated relationship with the royal institution.
The National Portrait Gallery is world-renowned for its vast collection of portraits, representing figures from across the monarchy and other prominent public figures. Princess Kate, who serves as a patron of the gallery, has no direct influence over which photos are chosen for display. Royal portraits featured in the gallery are often donated by photographers or specially commissioned, meaning decisions on exhibitions are guided by curatorial choices rather than royal preferences.
While the portrait of Harry and Meghan has been officially added to the gallery’s digital collection, the gallery’s decision not to display it has led to speculation about the couple’s current status within the royal family’s visual legacy. This comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Sussexes’ life after stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and relocating to California.
Despite this setback, the couple remains in the public eye through their various philanthropic endeavors, media projects, and public appearances. However, the decision by one of the UK’s most prestigious cultural institutions to keep their portrait out of public view raises questions about their lasting place in the visual and cultural history of the British monarchy.
