---
type: News Article
title: "Celebration of HRH The Princess Royal"
description: "Painted by Louise Pragnell and revealed at a January Court, the new portrait of the Master, HRH The Princess Royal, now hangs in the Great Hall."
resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/news/livery/celebration-of-hrh-the-princess-royal"
tags: [saddlers-news, saddlers-company, news, livery, celebration-of-hrh-the-princess-royal]
published: "January 2026"
generated: { by: process:saddlers-site-build, at: 2026-10-20T15:16:16Z }
status: stable
sources:
  - id: page
    resource: "https://thesaddlers.org/news/livery/celebration-of-hrh-the-princess-royal"
    title: "Princess Royal Portrait Unveiled | Saddlers' Company"
    author: "team:the-saddlers-company"
---
# Celebration of HRH The Princess Royal

Published January 2026.

The Company's portrait of its Perpetual Royal Master, HRH The Princess Royal, by artist Louise Pragnell, was revealed at a January Court, commissioned to recognise and record her role for future generations.[^page]

## Recognising a Lifetime of Commitment

The portrait was commissioned to mark HRH The Princess Royal's lifetime of commitment to the equestrian sector, equine charities, saddlery fitting and the welfare of horses, as well as education and the many other organisations with which the Company shares a common interest. It now hangs in the Great Hall alongside portraits of the Company's two previous Perpetual Royal Masters: HRH Frederick, Prince of Wales, Royal Master from 1737 to 1751, and HRH The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn, Royal Master from 1906 to 1942. Also in the Hall is a portrait of Sir Peter Laurie, an ancestor of the then Prime Warden, a leading London saddler who was Lord Mayor in 1832 and Master of the Company in 1833.

The composition shows HRH in her Master's robes, in the Court Room, with the Freedom Roll on the table, the book used as the Company's register of all those admitted to the Freedom since 1684. A beautifully crafted saddle is depicted sitting still in the quietness of the Hall, its design and purpose over centuries harnessing movement and power, a symbol of the enduring bond between humans and horses.

## The Artist's Perspective

Artist Louise Pragnell thanked the Company for the commission, explaining: 'Oil painting is a slow and deliberate process, the application of paint and layers of glazing requires much patience and time. In an era dominated by fleeting digital impressions, I find the medium's timeless qualities of resilience, depth and permanence all the more appealing. Alone in the studio, sometimes an artist's energy can flag. In such times, the example of Her Royal Highness's extraordinary work ethic and unwavering commitment to public service will continue to inspire me.'

## Frequently asked questions

### Who painted the portrait of HRH The Princess Royal?

Artist Louise Pragnell painted the portrait, which was revealed at a January Court.

### Where does the portrait hang?

It hangs in the Great Hall at Saddlers' Hall, alongside portraits of the Company's two previous Perpetual Royal Masters.

## Related concepts

- [Livery](/pages/news/livery.md)
- [Close Affiliation Between the Saddlers' Company and the Armed Forces Formally Recorded](/pages/news/livery/close-affiliation-between-the-saddlers-company-and-the-armed-forces-formally-recorded.md)
- [Prime Warden Celebrates Equestrian Olympic and Paralympic Success](/pages/news/equestrian/prime-warden-celebrates-equestrian-olympic-and-paralympic-success.md)

[^page]: Princess Royal Portrait Unveiled | Saddlers' Company, https://thesaddlers.org/news/livery/celebration-of-hrh-the-princess-royal