A STOW artist who was commissioned to paint a piece of work to hang in Mons Barracks, was amazed when both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived to perform the unveiling ceremony.

Lindy Allfrey, was overjoyed after being asked to paint a group of 30 Irish guards officers two years ago.

There then followed the tricky logistics of individual sittings, which Lindy insisted on doing, in between the men going to Afghanistan. She also took photographs to help her while her subjects were away.

She completed the artwork in time for St Patrick's Day on March 17 when she was invited to the barracks in Aldershot for the unveiling ceremony.

“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,” she said.

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?”