An artist has revealed she “nearly fainted” after finding out that the dog portrait she had been commissioned to draw was for the Queen.
Camilla was attending the opening of Bormham Community Hub in Wiltshire when she was delighted to receive a pencil portrait of her rescue dogs, Bluebell, Beth, and Moley.
Ms Hurst, 44, was first commissioned to paint the pictures of the dogs by the village’s farm shop, who sent her photographs of the pets but did not reveal they were for the Queen.
The 44-year-old only realised her work was a gift for the Queen when she was shown a photograph of the King and Camilla with their dogs, Ms Hurst revealed: “I nearly fainted on the floor.
Queen Camilla was presented with portraits of her dogs at Bromham Community Hub
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“I couldn’t believe it.”
Hannah had worked on the portrait of Bluebell and Beth for four months before she was commissioned to draw a second picture of Moley. The puppy was adopted after Beth died at the age of 13.
“Moley then had arrived, and they said, wouldn’t it be nice to give her (Camilla) an extra gift to represent her new dog,” Ms Hurst said.
Her Majesty is a patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and adopted Beth in 2011 when she was a three-month-old unwanted puppy, and Bluebell in 2012 after she was found alone in a London park with a painful skin condition.
Hannah said she wanted to honour the Queen’s work as a patron of the animal charity in the portraits.
She continued: “The dogs are represented with Battersea Dogs Home charity little scarves, and that was really important that that was included.
Queen Camilla was taken back as she thanks Hannah hurst for the portraits
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“There’s a lot of emotion that comes with seeing your animals looking back at you, and she had that same reaction.
The Queen’s visit to Bromham marked the official opening of the new community hub, which was rebuilt after a fire destroyed the village’s long-time Social Centre.
When Camilla was shown the portrait of Moley, she said: “I’m going to show it to her – I’m sure she’s going to recognise herself.
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“That is absolutely lovely, thank you,” she told Ms Hurst.
The Queen also unveiled a plaque at the site and planted a tree in memory of PC Craig Dalby, who served for over 30 years and was a close protection officer for Camilla on multiple occasions.
Queen Camilla opened the Bormham Community Hub on Tuesday
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Mr Dalby’s widow, Serena, revealed it was a very “emotional” moment.
“She (Camilla) was just warm, and Craig was really fond of her,” Mrs Dalby said.