The word 'negro' had to be removed from a painting inside Kensington Palace at the last minute before the Obamas arrived for their informal ...
The word 'negro' had to be removed from a painting inside Kensington Palace at the last minute before the Obamas arrived for their informal dinner with the royals. The U.S. President and First Lady were just moments away from being entertained by Prince William, Duchess Kate and Prince Harry on Friday night, when an eagle-eyed assistant spotted a plaque, which named the piece of art 'The Negro Page'. A frantic removal reportedly took place inside the drawing room to avoid causing offence to the American couple. A pot plant was also put in place to cover where the plaque would have been. A source told The Sun: 'Imagine the horror when someone spotted the N-word.' The dramatic painting on one of the walls - A page With Two Horses, by Albert Cuyp, from The Royal Collection - features a black servant boy in a landscape from 1660. It is also known as The Negro Page. Mail on Sunday art critic Philip Hensher says the work, from the Golden Age of Dutch painting, would particularly appeal to a History of Art graduate, such as Kate. A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to comment on the reports last night. On Friday, the world was given an unprecedented insight into the world of the royals as the drawing room was seen for the first time since being refurbished. The lavish room was recently redecorated for the couple using £4.5million worth of taxpayers' money although the couple footed the bill for fixtures and furnishing themselves. Its design was more reminiscent of a comfortable country home than a grand, palatial lounge - with floral cushions adorning comfortable looking cream sofas. On the grand black piano sitting behind William and Mr Obama, who looked at ease in each other's company, were intimate family photos and an elaborate bouquet. One of the pictures appeared to be a black and white shot of Kate looking ethereal in white on her wedding day. Another seemed to be a family photo in front of the pyramids. The framed photos gracing an ornate table near the windows were rather more iconic. One appeared to show a blonde haired, baby faced Prince William in his teenage years - one of the many shots that drew comparisons to his mother's looks. Beside it was what looks like an unforgettable image taken by controversial fashion photographer Mario Testino, showing the late Princess Diana playing with her two beloved sons in a flower garden in 1988. There was also a picture of akin to the Duke of Cambridge's in-laws, Carole and Michael Middleton, attending the 2011 Royal Wedding. Kate's mother Carole looked glamorous in a sky blue Catherine Walker outfit after, apparently refusing to wear her specially designed Lindka Cierach outfit at the last minute. Sitting on the side table beside the Prince and the President, deep in discussion about the anti-poaching and conservation issues they hold dear, was a black and white wildlife book by world renowned photographer Nick Brandt. Brandt's 'regal and mysterious' book - entitled On This Earth, A Shadow Falls - is said to capture the vanishing grandeur of the vanishing beauty of East Africa with wide screen panoramic shots of majestic animals and landscapes. In what could be gracious appreciation of the Obamas' friendship, the room also contained to items the president had presented to little Prince George in the past. The President and his family sent the newborn Prince George a stunning handmade rocking horse as well a blanket made from the finest alpaca wool to celebrate his birth in 2013. Sporting a saddle embossed with the presidential seal, the wooden rocking horse came with a polo mallet with a head made from the branch of an oak tree that once stood on the south lawn of the White House. The fluffy toy dog lying on the hexagonal footstool in the middle of the room was a replica of the Obama family dog, Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, also gifted to Prince George from the President. Intriguingly, the Royals displayed their thrifty side with their choice of drawing room alcohol. On the couple's drinks tray in the corner of the elegantly decorated room was a 70cl bottle of Smirnoff vodka worth £12, a bottle of Gordon's gin costing £14 and various mixers. Kate had the help of an interior designer for the drawing room room - one of 22 inside the couple's private apartment which once belonged to Princess Margaret. Less
