Todd Awarded Prestigious Accolade

Todd has been awarded one of the United Kingdom's most prestigious accolades in the shape of the Diana Princess of Wales Gold Medal, after donating his portrait of the Princess to the Diana Awards charity.

Only 11 people to date, Todd now included, have been honoured with the Award. Todd flew to London last week to officially receive the award.

Todd had painted the late Princess as part of his Woman collection, citing Diana and her work as an inspiration in his own life. Earlier this year, Todd made the decision to donate the portrait to the Diana Awards charity which was set up in her name after her tragic death. The Diana Awards have given some 36,000 awards to 'young people who act as a force for good' since their inception in 1999. The charity's patrons include Prime Minister David Cameron and the late Princess's best friends Rosa Monckton and Julia Samuel.

Todd's painting, simply titled Diana, shows the Princess in her fun-loving mode as captured on camera by fashion photographer Mario Testino. It is expected that the painting will be auctioned to raise further funds for the charity.

"Princess Diana inspired so many people in her life, and it made perfect sense to me to donate the portrait to the Diana Awards to help raise money that will go towards encouraging young people in their own endeavours, whether creative, charitable or entrepreneurial."

Maggie Turner OBE and Chief Executive of the Diana Award said: "We are thrilled and incredibly grateful to Todd White for choosing the Diana Award as the recipient of his fabulous portrait of Diana. The portrait serves as a reminder of Diana's passion for life and fun, as well as capturing her ability to inspire the lives of others a quality inherent in our 36,000 Award Holders."