Royalty Thread #4 Nappies and Nuptials

[skatingfan5]

I don't like the portrait. She looks like she is smirking, not smiling, and her eyes look like she is glaring- as if she is plotting something, or mad. It just doesn't fit her personality at all.

Agreed. Here's what the artist had to say about it:

Paul Emsley says: ‘The Duchess explained that she would like to be portrayed naturally - her natural self - as opposed to her official self. She struck me as enormously open and generous and a very warm person. After initially feeling it was going to be an unsmiling portrait I think it was the right choice in the end to have her smiling - that is really who she is.’

I think the portrait is an epic fail at portraying an "enormously open, generous, and very warm person." And also an epic fail at representing her smile.

[Skittl1321]

Is this person the best the UK has to offer?

According to the article I read, they did a search and Kate was part of the committee that selected him. (It also said she "loved" the painting, but I can't imagine her saying anything else unless she was going to force them to destroy and redo it.)

[skatesindreams]

Of course, she would say that, publicly.
She's too tactful and well-bred to say anything else.

I don't know if I could have "held my tongue"!

[Fergus]

Is this person the best the UK has to offer?

I once did a Google search for "Queen Elizabeth II paintings" and may I say there are some FUGLY paintings out there of the Royal Family made by artists from across the globe.

Ah, for the days of royal portraits by Philip de Lazslo!

The one successful aspect of Catherine's painting is the hair.

Maybe this is gonna sit in an attic and turn decrepit whilst HRH stays young and fresh forever.

[skatesindreams]

Maybe this is gonna sit in an attic and turn decrepit whilst HRH stays young and fresh forever.

Perhaps, it can be hidden behind a door in some Royal gallery, if it must be displayed.

[Alixana]

The one successful aspect of Catherine's painting is the hair.

Maybe this is gonna sit in an attic and turn decrepit whilst HRH stays young and fresh forever.

Hair looks great; skin looks good. But if that was my portrait, I'd make him re-do the baggy eyes and pursed lips. And I wouldn't pay for it!!

[Jenny]

And I'd want my own eye colour. If he wanted it to match the blouse, why not change the blouse, instead of the woman?

[skatingfan5]

And I'd want my own eye colour. If he wanted it to match the blouse, why not change the blouse, instead of the woman?

I guess it's a good thing she wasn't wearing green or grey .... or red.

[centerstage01]

Maybe this is gonna sit in an attic and turn decrepit whilst HRH stays young and fresh forever.

In exchange, the first child will be named Dorian. .

I know the guy was trying for "natural" but what woman wants bags under her eyes even if she might have had them the day she sat for the picture? And why would he change her eye color to match her blouse?? I'm not impressed.

[nubka]

I don't think the portrait is so awful. It does look like her. My only complaint is that it's just so drab and faded looking...

[AragornElessar]

Did William and Kate pay for it to be done? I thought I'd read somewhere the National Portrait Gallery wanted an Official Portrait of their new Royal Patron and what better reason for Kate to sit for her first Official Portrait. I can't remember where I read that, but I could swear I did see that somewhere.

While it's not knock it out of the park incredable, you do know who it is. It's just beyond a shame the artist aged her and also changed her eye colour. Considering Portrait are considered to be an accurate portrayal of a person.....I give it a C- Not a great painting of HRH, but not out and out fail either IMO.

[IceAlisa]

In exchange, the first child will be named Dorian. .

But seriously I hate this portrait. It makes her look haggard and twice her age. Also, what's with the pursed lips? I've never seen her with that facial expression in photos or TV.

[AragornElessar]

I think we need a bit of a pick me up. What better than to ogle..I mean look...at some gorgeous Tiaras!?!

YouTube ~ European Royal and Imperial Jewels - Part 1: Tiara

Don't see a Part 2 over there, but as this was put up a couple of weeks ago, I'm going to assume Part 2 is coming soon.

However...The wonderful documentary that was made last year by a Danish (? not at all sure) company on the Jewels of the three Scandavian Monarchies has been made available to watch online again. So for those of us who never saw it last year, get ready to spend a very enjoyable few hours.

De Kongelige Juveler Part One

De Kongelige Juveler Part Two

Don't worry about not understanding what's said, as for the most part, the Royals interviewed all speak English. The exception so far has been Prince Henrik, Prince Consort of Denmark and not sure why either. Oh well....

It's been truly facinsating listening to CP Mary and Queen Margrethe of Denmark and Queen Silvia of Sweden speak about the respective pieces and the history of them. Just be warned though...Queen Silvia speaks w/quite the whistle in her speaking patterns. So if you have a problem w/sharp sounds, there's a heads up for you.

Hope all of you enjoy watching these as much as I have.

[IceAlisa]

After reading comments about the hair on the Duchess' portrait, I took another look--indeed the length of the hair is fairly well rendered but the rich golden brown fades the closer the hair gets to the scalp and...is this gray hair that has grown out about an inch or so? What is this, a joke? Or is the Duchess prematurely gray?

[Alixana]

What better than to ogle..I mean look...at some gorgeous Tiaras!?!

YouTube ~ European Royal and Imperial Jewels - Part 1: Tiara

That's some gorgeous jewelry .. if I had a tiara, I'd wear it to the grocery store even!

Also, PML at Queen Louise of Bavaria wearing a crown AND big tiara .. a girl after my own heart!

[Vagabond]

Why does she have bags/dark circles under her eyes????

I do believe it's the result of her hyperemesis gravidarum.

She wouldn't be the first:

My journey to hell and back: Hyperemesis Gravidarum

Finally at 17 weeks I had a high-resolution ultrasound and my appointment with the Perinatologist. We were so hopeful that he would have all the answers and I would start getting better. The ultrasound went great. Baby was growing perfect despite my weight loss and lack of nutrition and he was just beautiful! Next we saw the Dr. We went over my history and explained to him how sick I’ve been. He could see it! I was sitting in front of him barely able to stand on my own, attached to IV fluids, bruises all over my arms and hands, bags under my eyes, greasy hair, very pale but green skin and vomiting.

[Jenny]

Kate sat for the portrait in May and June last year, before she was pregnant, and he also used photographs as references, and I doubt any of those were taken when she was at her worst.

[my little pony]

her expression makes me wonder if the studio was filled with onions and rotting fish

[skatesindreams]

I find the "portrait" embarrassingly poor; so much so that I believe the painter should offer to try again.
They should really find another artist; although I know that's not likely.

[PDilemma]

Kate sat for the portrait in May and June last year, before she was pregnant, and he also used photographs as references, and I doubt any of those were taken when she was at her worst.

This ^^ And I would guess the photos used were taken at around the same time as the sittings.

I was referring to the Kate in the portrait.