Louise Pragnell’s Portrait of the Princess Royal Unveiled

A new ceremonial portrait of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, portrayed in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the British Army’s Intelligence Corps, has been unveiled. Painted by one of the UK’s leading portrait artists, Louise Pragnell, it will be on public display at the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers’ Livery Hall, Painters’ Hall, during London Craft Week. 

The announcement coincides with the Defence Committee’s comments that women make up just 11.7% of the Army – a number that it says is ‘still too low’. There is a need to attract the ‘best and brightest’ to prepare for ‘what might be coming.’

Commissioned by the Intelligence Corps in 2024, the portrait celebrates The Princess Royal, following her official appointment to the role as Colonel-in-Chief. It stands as a profound expression of gratitude from the Corps for Her Royal Highness’s unwavering commitment to its personnel, its values, and its mission. The portrait also recognises her as an inspiring role model, highlighting her leadership and the importance of female representation at the highest levels. 

The portrait depicts Her Royal Highness wearing her Intelligence Corps Mess Dress, the colours of which symbolise the traditions, history, and heritage of the Corps. The cypress green reflects the gorget patches and hat bands worn by Intelligence staff during the First World War, French grey is derived from the armbands worn by Intelligence Corps soldiers in the Second World War, and scarlet represents secrecy, reflecting the nature of the Intelligence Corps’ work.

Symbols

The medals worn by The Princess Royal reflect her long and dedicated service to the Crown and Commonwealth. Notably, the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the Garter stand as poignant symbols of her personal commitment and distinguished contributions, while the series of Jubilee Medals mark her enduring presence throughout significant milestones in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

This rare commission offers a significant opportunity to capture an enduring example of female leadership and responsibility within a royal and military context. It is the second ceremonial portrait of Her Royal Highness, who is 18th in line to the throne –  by British artist Louise Pragnell. 

About Louise Pragnell

Louise Pragnell is a contemporary portrait painter whose work ranges from individual commissions to large-scale group portraits. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh College of Art, where she graduated with Distinction in Painting and was the recipient of the prestigious Andrew Grant Bequest Scholarship. She later undertook further classical training in Florence.

Pragnell’s portraits have been selected twice for exhibition at the Portrait Award (formerly known as the BP Portrait Award) at the National Portrait Gallery. One of these portraits, The Murdering Misguided Queen Cassandra, was acquired by The Groucho Club for its renowned collection of contemporary British art.

In 2025, she unveiled a 2.5-metre portrait of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, commissioned by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.  Most recently, Pragnell unveiled a pair of ceremonial portraits of Their Royal Highnesses Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie to mark the royal accession on Friday 3 October 2025, following the abdication of Grand Duke Henri. The paintings were later exhibited publicly at The National Museum in Luxembourg in January 2026.

Other sitters have included Jeremy Clarkson and the former Foreign Secretary, The Rt Hon. William Hague and His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent. Pragnell has also completed a number of ceremonial and military commissions in the UK and abroad, including portraits of senior members of the Royal Family and Armed Forces, as well as large group works for regimental collections. 

Trust

In 2023, her three-metre-wide painting of 32 Irish Guards officers was presented to Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales on St Patrick’s Day. In 2010, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal unveiled another of Pragnell’s group portraits, depicting 25 officers of the Household Cavalry. This work is now housed at Knightsbridge Barracks. 

Commenting on the commission, Louise Pragnell said: “I am deeply grateful for the trust that both the Intelligence Corps and Her Royal Highness have placed in me to paint this significant portrait. I am very inspired by The Princess Royal, her humility, approach to work and her dedication are incredible qualities. I hope this portrait reminds all of its onlookers of her great character and soft power as a woman in leadership.”

Commenting on behalf of the Intelligence Corps, Corps Colonel, Niklas Fairweather, said: “This portrait is a source of pride for everyone in the Intelligence Corps. Since she was appointed Colonel-in-Chief in 2022, Her Royal Highness has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our people and a genuine interest in our work that has deeply resonated with all who serve. As a Senior Royal who has excelled at the highest levels of public life, international sport, and military service, she is a powerful role model for all our personnel, particularly the women of the Corps. This commission is our way of expressing our gratitude and ensuring her contribution is acknowledged now and remembered for generations to come.”

Louise Pragnell has forged a reputation as one of the UK’s leading contemporary portrait artists, renowned for her exceptional ability to convey character, presence, and quiet authority. Working within a tradition historically dominated by men, she has established a distinctive and respected position at the highest level of portraiture. Her work is particularly focused on the field of military and royal portraiture, where technical mastery is combined with a deep sensitivity to her subjects. 

Pragnell’s recent notable works include the ceremonial portraits of Their Royal Highnesses The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg for the Coronation in October 2025. Her previous commissions include an official portrait of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, a 2.5-metre work for the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, and a portrait of His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent, which hangs in the Cavalry and Guards Club in London.

Visitors are welcome to Painters’ Hall, 9 Little Trinity Lane, London EC4V 2AD, during London Craft Week on Thursday 14th May (2-5pm) to Saturday 16 May 2026, with opening hours on Friday and Saturday (10am-5pm), an initiative celebrating outstanding British and international creativity, where the Worshipful Company of Painters-Stainers is a participant. The portrait will be included in the Painters’ Hall experience.

Thereafter, the portrait will be installed at the Ministry of Defence military base, home to the Intelligence Corps and the Defence Intelligence Training Group.

For further information about the artist, please visit www.louisepragnell.com or @louisepragnell.

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