Belgian king: David Hockney inspired me to paint
It was a long way from the late-spring tunnels of Bridlington, but there was something about the luminous greens and long shadows of the landscape behind the king that told of who had a hand in it.
King Philippe, the intensely private Belgian head of state, had agreed to be interviewed this week only after his children said he should answer questions from young people about what makes him tick.
What emerged from his answers on YouTube was a portrait of an accomplished amateur artist who counted among his chief inspirations David Hockney, the painter often thought to be Britain's greatest living artist.
Reclining in a chair in his palace, Philippe, 65, identified the landscape of his garden as a favourite, inspired by Hockney, 87.
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