Rolf Harris dead: How disgraced entertainer charmed royals, celebrities

Disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris was a wolf in sheep’s clothing for decades as he mingled with royalty and superstars.

In his hey day, Rolf Harris enjoyed the heady heights of success rubbing shoulders with everyone from the late Queen to The Beatles and The Wiggles.

Harris was the emcee for the Fab Four for two weeks in 1963 when they starred in a Christmas variety show in London, also performing ahead of The Beatles each night.

It was a lengthier royal connection. In 2006, Harris was a surprise choice to paint the official portrait of the Queen for the monarch’s 80th birthday.

At the time, he initially feared his portrait looked like a Norwich butcher, but went on to describe it as “a nice painterly job”.

Rolf Harris with his portrait of the late Queen at its unveiling at Buckingham Palace. The painting was to celebrate Her Majesty's 80th birthday in 2006. Picture: AP

While the Queen reportedly said it was a very friendly painting as she left the room, there was a lukewarm reception from critics. Many criticised the monarch’s toothy grin and questioned the integrity of the so-called artist.

Harris was later invited to be part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee concert in 2012 outside Buckingham Palace.

There was no denying the Brits’ adoration for the bespectacled showman who captivated a live audience of thousands.

“I think she’s looking better than me,” Harris quipped of the monarch to an amused crowd, before adding that painting the Queen’s portrait had been “the highlight of my career”.

There was controversy after Harris started to sing his poignant hit song – Two Little Boys about two mates who go to war – to fill an unexpected gap in the live proceedings. He was then stopped abruptly by the host, comedian Lenny Henry, so he could introduce the next act, Stevie Wonder.

As he neared the end of his song, Henry interrupted and said: “You have got to stop because they are ready, I can only apologise.”

Harris responded: “I thought you wanted me to sing.”

He continued with his performance and finished the final line as the crowd booed Henry.

His connection to the Queen went even further back – Harris sat out all night in the drizzling rain in 1953 to secure a prime viewing spot for the procession on Coronation Day.

“While I waited, I had a blanket wrapped round me and I had my piano accordion and sang Waltzing Matilda to anyone who would listen,” he said.