Michael Dunkley has passed on his and the country’s congratulations to Henry Ward, the artist who painted the portrait of the Queen, which was unveiled at Windsor Castle last Friday.

Mr Ward, who has ties to Bermuda and whose works have been featured at the Bermuda National Gallery and at Nicholas Lusher Fine Art, moved to the island from England in 1987 when his father, Martyn Ward, was appointed a Puisne Justice to serve on the Supreme Court.

Mr Ward later moved to Canada from Bermuda, where he now lives with his family.

The portrait of the Queen was to mark her 60 years as British Red Cross patron.

Mr Ward’s painting depicts the Queen in flowing garter robes at Windsor Castle. The Queen is the longest-serving patron of the charity, and the new portrait’s imagery highlights the ties between the Royal Family and the Red Cross.

“On behalf of the Government, I’m pleased to extend congratulations to Mr Ward on this memorable achievement,” the Premier said. “Henry is truly a very talented artist and having an opportunity to create a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen must have been an incredible honour for him.”

Mr Ward he has been a portrait artist for more than 20 years, with his work exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, the House of Lords, Westminster and Christies of London. His works have also been featured in the United States and Canada and he is represented exclusively by Landau Fine Art in Montreal.