A PAINTING by a Cotswold artist has received high praise from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Stow-on-the-Wold artist Lindy Allfrey was overjoyed after being asked to paint a group of 30 Irish guards officers two years ago.

And to her amazement, the unveiling of the portrait on St Patrick’s Day this year was attended by Prince William, who said he thought the painting was “brilliant”, and his pregnant wife Catherine.

“We were not sure who was coming along to unveil the painting; at one stage it was the Duchess then to my amazement the Duke was there as well,” said Lindy.

In 2011 Prince William was appointed to the honorary rank of Colonel of the Irish Guards so this painting has special connotations for the Prince as well as for the 30 men who posed for the artist.

“The Duke of Cambridge shook my hand warmly, and we chatted about the men in the painting. I said jaw lines were very important to the men and he laughed,” added Lindy.

“The Duchess unveiled the painting and I received the accolade of ‘brilliant!’ from Prince William. What more could I ask?”