Honestly, the British press loves a good royal snub. You’ve probably seen the headlines screaming about how the National Portrait Gallery refuses to exhibit Harry and Meghan’s portrait, and it sounds like some high-level drama straight out of The Crown. But when you peel back the layers of the tabloid paint, the reality is a bit more bureaucratic—and maybe a little less scandalous—than people think.
The image in the eye of the storm is a striking black-and-white shot taken by Misan Harriman. He’s a close friend of the couple, the kind of guy who gets the calls for the private stuff, like Princess Lilibet’s first birthday. This particular photo was taken back in September 2022 at the One Young World summit in Manchester. Harry and Meghan are standing side-on, holding hands, looking pretty resolute. It was captured just days before the late Queen passed away.
Why the "Refusal" Isn't Quite a Ban
In May 2024, Harriman took to Instagram to announce, with a lot of pride, that this portrait had been acquired for the gallery's permanent collection. "Dare to dream folks!" he wrote. It felt like a win for the Sussexes. But then, a few months later, the mood shifted. A spokesperson for the National Portrait Gallery confirmed they had "no current plans" to actually put the thing on a wall.
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Queue the internet meltdown.
Basically, people assume that if a museum buys a piece of art, they’re going to hang it up immediately. That’s not how it works. The National Portrait Gallery has roughly 250,000 photos in its archive. They only have wall space for a tiny fraction of that. When they say there are no plans to display it, they’re technically saying it’s going into the "digital and research" side of things for now.
The Kate Middleton Theory
You can't talk about this without mentioning Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales. She’s the royal patron of the National Portrait Gallery. Naturally, the "Team Sussex" vs. "Team Wales" crowd immediately started whispering. Did Kate block the photo? Did she use her influence to keep her brother-in-law and Meghan in the basement?
The gallery has been pretty firm on this: the patron doesn't pick the art. Curatorial decisions are made by, well, curators. Experts who look at historical significance, artistic merit, and—let's be real—available square footage.
- The Archive vs. The Gallery: Most acquired works go straight to the archive first.
- The 2010 Portrait: Interestingly, a famous 2010 painting of William and Harry by Nicky Philipps was also removed from display when the gallery reopened after renovations.
- Cataloging: The gallery stated the Harriman photo needed to go through "cataloging and digitization" before being available online.
Comparing the "Refusal" to Other Royal Art
If you look at how the gallery handles other royals, the Harry and Meghan situation looks a bit less like a targeted attack. For example, the gallery holds several photos of the couple from their engagement and wedding by Alexi Lubomirski. Those are in the collection, but you won't always find them on a physical wall during your Sunday visit.
The drama really stems from the timing. Since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepped back as senior royals in 2020, every move is scrutinized. When the gallery says "we aren't showing it," it feels like a public rejection of their new, non-working royal status. It’s a vibes thing.
Is it about the photography?
Some critics, particularly in the UK press, have been harsh about the photo itself. Some called it "performative." Others felt it was more of a PR shot than a piece of historical portraiture. Because Misan Harriman is so close to the couple, there’s always a debate about whether the work is "too friendly" for a national institution.
But look, Harriman is a big deal. He was the first Black man to shoot a British Vogue cover. His work has documented major civil rights movements. Whether you like the Sussexes or not, he’s an artist with significant cultural weight. The gallery knows this. They want his work in their collection because it represents a specific moment in British history—even if they aren’t ready to give it a frame and a spotlight just yet.
What This Means for Harry and Meghan’s Legacy
The fact that the National Portrait Gallery refuses to exhibit Harry and Meghan’s portrait in a physical gallery right now doesn't mean it’s gone forever. It’s a bit like a sports team signing a star player and then keeping them on the bench. They own the "rights" to the couple’s image in this specific historical context.
If there’s a future exhibition on "Modern Monarchy" or "The Power of Photography," you can bet that Misan Harriman’s shot will be one of the first ones they pull out of the drawer.
Actionable Insights for Art and Royal Followers:
- Check the Digital Archive: If you want to see the portrait, don't buy a plane ticket to London expecting to see it in person. Visit the National Portrait Gallery’s website; it’s been digitized and added to their online database.
- Understand Museum Logic: Most museums rotate their collections every few months or years. "No current plans" is museum-speak for "not this season."
- Watch the Curators, Not the Royals: If you're looking for signs of a thaw in the royal rift, look at upcoming exhibition themes. If the gallery suddenly announces a "Commonwealth Leaders" show and includes the Sussexes, that’s a huge signal.
Ultimately, the portrait is safely tucked away in the national archives. It’s part of the permanent record of the UK. For now, it stays in the dark, but in the world of art and royalty, nothing stays hidden forever.
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If you’re planning a visit to the National Portrait Gallery, check their "What's On" section for temporary exhibitions, as these are the only times many archived photos see the light of day. You can also use their online "Search the Collection" tool to find high-resolution versions of all Sussex-related acquisitions.