November 14, 1998: THE Queen said a painting of Steve Redgrave was "interesting" when she viewed it with the Olympic champion last Friday.

Steve, 36, of Marlow Bottom, met the Queen when she opened the Henley River and Rowing Museum. She chatted to Steve and rowing partner Matthew Pinsent.

Steve said: "I asked her what she thought of it and she smiled and said, 'It's very interesting'."

She also asked Steve about his prospects in the Sydney Olympics.

"I said I was going to try and add another medal to the collection," said Steve.

The modern art painting, showing four-times Olympic rowing champion Steve wearing the red, white and blue of Great Britain, was commissioned by the Edington Charitable Trust and painted by 28-year-old artist Justin Mortimer.