Princess Anne honoured in striking new portrait

A new ceremonial portrait of Princess Anne in her role as Colonel-in-Chief of the British Army’s Intelligence Corps has been unveiled in London.

The painting, by acclaimed British portrait artist Louise Pragnell, was revealed on Friday and will go on public display during London Craft Week at Painters’ Hall in the City of London.

Commissioned by the Intelligence Corps in 2024, the portrait was created to mark the Princess Royal’s appointment as Colonel-in-Chief and to recognise what the Corps described as her “unwavering commitment” to its personnel and values.

The artwork depicts Her Royal Highness wearing the Intelligence Corps Mess Dress, whose colours reflect the regiment’s history and traditions. Cypress green references the gorget patches and hat bands worn by intelligence staff during the First World War, while French grey derives from the armbands worn by Intelligence Corps soldiers in the Second World War. Scarlet, meanwhile, symbolises secrecy and the covert nature of the Corps’ work.

The medals shown in the portrait include the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of the Garter, alongside a series of Jubilee Medals marking major milestones during the reign of Elizabeth II.

It is the second ceremonial portrait of the Princess Royal completed by Pragnell, who has built a reputation for royal and military portraiture. The artist said she hoped the work would remind viewers of the Princess Royal’s “great character and soft power as a woman in leadership”.

Pragnell added: “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.”

The Intelligence Corps said the commission was intended both as a tribute and as a lasting symbol of female leadership within the military.

Niklas Fairweather, Corps Colonel of the Intelligence Corps, said the Princess Royal had shown a “genuine interest” in the Corps since her appointment in 2022.

“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,” he said.

Pragnell’s recent royal commissions include ceremonial portraits of Guillaume, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Stéphanie, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg created for the Luxembourg coronation celebrations in 2025.

Her previous works have also included portraits of Jeremy Clarkson, William Hague and the Duke of Kent, as well as large-scale military commissions for regimental collections.

The portrait will be exhibited at Painters’ Hall, Little Trinity Lane, from 14 to 16 May as part of London Craft Week before being permanently installed at the Ministry of Defence site which houses the Intelligence Corps and the Defence Intelligence Training Group.