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January 2010
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Royal Portrait of William & Harry Unveiled

Today at London’s National Portrait Gallery, an historic portrait of royal brothers Princes William and Harry was unveiled. Done by Nicky Philipps, the 54in by 58in oil painting depicts the two in military uniform, having a conversation before a supposed big event.

Press Association

Prince William is shown wearing a blue sash and star of the Order of the Garter and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee medal, while Prince Harry is depicted wearing his Golden Jubilee medal for serving in Afghanistan.

The brothers sat for Miss Philipps several times in her studio before she went to Clarence House to fill in the backround.

While many are impressed with how the painting turned out, not all are thrilled.

According to the Daily Mail, David Lee, editor of the satirical art magazine Jackdaw, said: “I think it’s pretty awful. It’s terribly amateurish and looks like something from a provincial photographer’s studio. I think our Royal Family are being done a huge disservice. It is intolerable that they are being made to sit for such amateurs. In days gone by they would have been painted by the likes of Holbein and Velasquez. Nowadays we have Nicky Philipps. I beg your pardon, but who?”

Luckily, London Evening Standard critic Ben Luke disagreed, saying the portrait “captured the princes’ affection for each other and managed to marry the tradition that comes with being a member of the Royal Family with being modern young men.”

Spanish Royals Observe Pascua Militar

King Juan Carlos told Spain’s armed forces to be prepared for any threats against the country in the coming year. He said this during Pascua Militar, a military parade which marks the end of the holidays in Spain.

REUTERS/Manuel H. de Leon/Pool

“Together with the traditional threats and risks to peace and security, others capable of causing indiscriminate damage have arisen,” the King said to some 200 guests in the Royal Palace. He added that the government needs to be prepared to meet “complex and uncertain threats in a dynamic way.”

Juan Carlos also called the government to acknowledge the “self-improving, generous level of efficiency and delivery” of the Armed Forces. Additionally, he suggested Spain should be more involved with countries that share similar interests.

The King’s motivation behind those words may have to do with his country becoming the next EU nation to hold the presidency for the next six months. Sometime this month, a ceremony will take place to hand over power to Spain.

Pascua Militar began at noon local time with a 21 gun salute, and the playing of the national anthem at the Armory Square in Madrid.

King Juan Carlos and Crown Prince Felipe attended the event sans the beards they wore during last year. Queen Sofia and Crown Princess Letizia wore elegant, long red dresses, as traditionl calls for women at Pascua Militar to wear such outfits.