New portraits of Harry and Meghan draw historical parallels with iconic Royal figures

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been immortalised in a new series of artworks by Dan Llywelyn Hall, the youngest artist to have painted a portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II. The series includes depictions of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as historical Royal figures.

Meghan is portrayed as Dame Elizabeth Grey, a former Queen of England, while Harry is depicted as Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. The artwork featuring Meghan is titled 'Returning White Queen' and presents her as Elizabeth Woodville, who later became Dame Elizabeth Grey after marrying King Edward in 1464, reports the Mirror.

Harry's portrayal is captured in a piece named 'Spectre Of The Bonny Prince', where he is likened to Charles Edward Stuart. He was famously known as the Young Pretender and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

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Speaking about his creative choices, Mr Llywelyn Hall said: "In Harry's case, 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. 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."

At the tender age of 32, Mr Llywelyn Hall was entrusted by the Welsh Rugby Union in 2012 to craft a portrait of the Queen, for which she posed at Windsor Castle. His Royal portfolio has since grown, featuring a portrait marking Prince William's transition into fatherhood, a live painting of the state funeral of the late Queen, and the coronation procession of Prince Charles.

Mr Llywelyn Hall has recently produced 10 new portraits, drawing inspiration from royalty throughout history for the Society of Antiquaries. Fellow artist Adam Dant has also added 10 pieces to the collection.

The exhibition, dubbed 'The Reign', marks 150 years of the society at Burlington House in London's Piccadilly. The artworks will be sold off to finance the cataloguing and digitisation of roughly 25,000 prints and drawings from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Discussing his work, Mr Llywelyn Hall 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?"

The artwork has divided opinion online though. One person said: "The portrait is well painted, but is slightly reminiscent of the old paintings of Spanish ladies. Does she have Spanish heritage as well? " A second said: "Not flattering at all."

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