LUCIAN Freud's portrait of the Queen divided the art world. Some critics raved about it: "probably the best royal portrait of any royal anywhere for at least 150 years," said one; "the most important of her reign" said another.

Olive Simmons, however, is firmly in the "like a corgi chewing a wasp" camp. This artist and royalist was so offended by the picture that she picked up her brushes to redress the balance.

Her portrait is certainly more flattering. Buckingham Palace refused to disclose the Queen's reaction to Freud's vision, but we are confident she would be delighted by Mrs Simmons' response.

Updated: 10:06 Thursday, May 02, 2002