RAINOW artist Nina Kurzweil has been given the royal seal of approval for her work with pets.
The 50-year-old was commissioned by the Kennel Club last year to create a gift for the Queen.
The Queen's youngest son, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, accepted the artwork from Nina last month at the 2022 Cocker Championships, which were held on the Windsor estate.
Nina, 50, said: "Drawing the piece was an absolute honour, especially given it meant I got to meet Prince Edward.
"I was so nervous on the day. We weren't sure who would be there for the presentation - I knew on previous occasions the Queen would have been there, but as she hasn’t been well recently, that would be unlikely.
"When the Earl of Wessex arrived to present the trophies and accept his mother's gift, we were all so excited, and he was really lovely and chatted away with everyone, making everyone feel at ease.
"When my portrait was unveiled, I admit I was emotional! I cried a little bit and so did some of the people around me, and there was a gasp when it was handed to Prince Edward.
"He was struck by the details I had captured, and he mentioned that he thought the Queen would love her portrait as she loves all her animals. I can't really remember much of else we discussed; I was just too excited!"
Nina said the piece was mad even more special when one of the dogs that was a subject of her piece won the championship in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Year.
Nina has been a full-time pet portrait artist since 2010, working with coloured pencils.
She said: "As I drew from photographs I'm not restricted by location, but I'll be honest, it is lovely when the client is local, as I often get to meet them and get a cuddle with the subject!"