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Princess Anne is the subject of a new ceremonial portrait unveiled at London’s Painters’ Hall, an event venue dating back to 1375. The artwork, painted by British artist Louise Pragnell, was commissioned by the Intelligence Corps in 2024 to mark the Princess Royal’s appointment to the role.
The painting depicts the Princess in formal Intelligence Corps Mess Dress, with each color chosen for its historical significance. Cypress green references the military rank patches worn by intelligence personnel during World War I, while French grey derives from armbands worn during World War II. The scarlet represents the clandestine nature of intelligence work. Her medals also feature prominently, including the Royal Victorian Order, the Order of the Garter, and Jubilee Medals commemorating significant moments during Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
Corps Colonel Niklas Fairweather said the portrait reflected the esteem in which the Princess Royal is held by those 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,” Fairweather said in a statement. “This commission is our way of expressing our gratitude and ensuring her contribution is acknowledged now and remembered for generations to come.”
Pragnell, who holds a Master of Fine Arts with distinction from the University of Edinburgh and was trained classically in Florence, has been selected twice for the Portrait Award at the UK’s National Portrait Gallery. Her previous royal subjects include the Duke of Kent as well as Stéphanie, Hereditary Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.
This is Pragnell’s second formal portrait of the Princess Royal. The first one (seen below) was commissioned for the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, one of the oldest trade guilds in London, dating back to the 11th century. It was unveiled in January 2025, depicting Princess Anne in her role as the “Perpetual Royal Master” of the company.
“She is a true legend, and it has been a great honor and a privilege to paint her for the second time,” Pragnell wrote on her Instagram page. “The portrait also recognizes her as an exceptional role model, highlighting her leadership and the importance of female representation at the highest levels.”
The new portrait is on display for the public at Painters’ Hall through Saturday, May 16 as part of London Craft Week. It will then be permanently installed at the Ministry of Defense base in Bedfordshire, north of London.
Rachel King (she/her) is a news writer at Town & Country. Before joining T&C, she spent nearly a decade as an editor at Fortune. Her work covering travel and lifestyle has appeared in Forbes, Observer, Robb Report, Cruise Critic, and Cool Hunting, among others. Originally from San Francisco, she lives in New York with her wife, their daughter, and a precocious labradoodle. Follow her on Instagram at @rk.passport.