Top marks! George’s striking sketch echoes work of YouTube tutor

Prince George’s drawing of a kingfisher has attracted attention after appearing in the latest edition of Country Life, guest-edited by his father, Prince William. Viewers noticed that the bird resembles one in a YouTube drawing tutorial, prompting questions about whether the 13-year-old saw the lesson or the likeness is coincidental.

The tutorial was published seven years ago by artist Matt Fussell, who praised George’s work and said he could not confirm whether the prince had used it. Country Life editor Mark Hedges said he received the drawing in June and recognised its potential to attract attention. Fussell’s four-part lesson shows how to draw a kingfisher using coloured pencils on Bristol paper.