Spain's royal family demand portrait after 18-year wait

Antonio Lopez has been paid £250,000 for the painting (EPA)

The royal family have reportedly told the artist Antonio Lopez that he must complete a portrait of them by the end of the year, having waited 18 years for him to finish the work.

Lopez, 77, was commissioned to paint King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia and their three children in 1995. He is said to have been paid 43 million pesetas – around £253,000 – for the painting, which he is yet to deliver. He has been told to move his studio into the Royal Palace in Madrid to “block out distractions”.