Artist responds to criticism of portrait

Paul Emsley reveals that he and his family were upset by some of the snarky critiques that followed the unveiling of Middleton’s official portrait

Some of the words written about it were so personal. I’d be inhuman if I said it didn’t affect me. When you take on commissions like this, it is hazardous and you expect a bit of flak, but I expected nothing like the criticism I have received. I didn’t expect it to go to the levels it did.

At first the attacks were so vicious that there was a point where I myself doubted that the portrait of the duchess was any good. But now I’ve had time to reflect, I am still happy with it and am getting on with my life. There is nothing I would have changed.