The artist responsible for creating the portrait of the Princess of Wales that is featured on the latest cover of Tatler magazine, Hannah Uzor, has faced backlash from some royal fans about the likeness of the painting to Kate. The portrait captures the princess at the first state banquet of the King’s reign during the 2022 South Africa state visit. Kate is depicted in a regal, caped white Jenny Packham floor-length dress with sparkling detail on the shoulders, wearing her Lover’s Knot tiara. Despite the negative reactions to her work online, Uzor expressed that she was not aware of the backlash and stated, “It is a fantastic story – and they [critics] can do what they want.”
Uzor did not have Kate sit for the portrait; instead, she researched photos of the princess to inform her work, finding over 189,000 images of Kate in a picture archive. The painting features a green-blue background, symbolizing Kate’s eye color and her love for rowing and being in a garden or on water. In an interview with Tatler, Uzor mentioned how Kate’s recent cancer diagnosis video gave her a new perspective and influenced her approach to the portrait. She emphasized that all her portraits are made up of layers of a personality constructed from various sources of information about the subject, and Kate’s public address showed her courage and dignity in dealing with a difficult situation.
The artist expressed admiration for Kate, who has stepped back from the public spotlight as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy. Uzor, a mother of three like Kate, sensed the joy of motherhood in the princess and spoke about capturing the soul of the person in her paintings. She spent time studying Kate’s expressions through photographs, videos, and various occasions, aiming to represent her regal and confident demeanor in the portrait. Uzor highlighted the importance of color, particularly focusing on Kate’s eyes, as she believed they are the window to the soul. The bluey, turquoisey background was chosen to match Kate’s eyes and enhance the connection between the subject’s gaze and the viewer.
In a video on Tatler’s social media accounts, Uzor shared insights into her artistic process and the study she conducted to depict Kate authentically. She explained how she created sketches to capture Kate’s expressions and demeanor accurately before deciding on the outfit and background for the painting. Uzor’s goal was to convey Kate’s elegance and grace while also reflecting her strength and resilience, particularly in light of her recent health challenges. The full feature on the portrait and Uzor’s creative journey can be found in the July issue of Tatler, available via digital download and on newsstands.
Despite the initial criticism the portrait received online, Uzor remained unfazed and committed to her artistic vision. She emphasized the importance of capturing the essence and personality of her subjects, using various sources of information to create layered portraits. Uzor’s painting of Kate showcases the princess’s regal demeanor, grace, and strength, depicting her as a dignified and elegant figure ready to face any challenges with courage and resilience. The portrait reflects Uzor’s admiration for Kate as a mother, a public figure, and a symbol of grace under pressure, embodying the princess’s spirit in a captivating and thought-provoking work of art that pays tribute to her character and journey.
