PRINCE CHARLES'S OFFICIAL 60TH BIRTHDAY PORTRAIT...

Here's a glimpse of Prince Charles in his official birthday portrait. He does look better with age, we must say.

We must say Prince Charles looks older but much happier in this brilliant portrait. I suppose his true love Camilla has plenty to do with Prince Charles' current state of happiness.

Now, if only old queenie would get out of the way and abdicate or something and let good ol Chuck take over the throne (and we are not talking about the toilet here!).

PRINCE CHARLES TURNS 60

Prince Charles, the longstanding King-in-waiting celebrated his 60th birthday recently. This, probably makes him the oldest mummy's boy in the world -- which should have all the Italian men (the world's official -- and ORIGINAL -- lot of mummy's boys!) in a jealous tizzy.

Anyway, here are some photos -- of Prince Charles with his mother Queen Elizabeth; with his grandmother the Queen Mother and with his wife Camilla.

FOR COMPARISON WITH LUCIEN FREUD'S PAINTING, HERE'S THE QUEEN IN THE FLESH...

Yup, here is a photo of Queen E in the flesh, looking happy. She endorsed Lucien Freud's portrait of her, in case you wondered.

Photo of Queen Elizabeth is from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-503597/A-unlikely-revolutionary-Queen-subtly-changed-Monarchy-suit-modern-Britain.html

God Save the Queen!

The more I look at the paintings of Lucien Freud -- only through books and the Internet -- the more convincing is the argument that he is the greatest living artist of this modern ear.

My personal favourite is of course, Freud's painting of Queen Elizabeth, the present Queen of England (no, contrary to what most people think, Elton John is NOT the queen of England.)

Have a look at Freud's painting of the Queen (Elizabeth, I mean) and see for yourself. It was pianted between May 2000 and December 2001, with the Queen herself indulging Lucien in many sittings to allow him to best capture her in his brush strokes.

Lucien Freud is the grandson of Austrian psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Lucien is based in England, where he has lived since 1933. Lucien was born in 1922 (Dec 8) in Berlin.