Buckingham Palace has revealed the first official portrait of Britain’s King Charles III since his coronation, which took place on 6 May 2023, Reuters reports.
The official portrait, painted by artist Jonathan Yeo, shows the king against a backdrop of vivid shades of red, wearing the uniform of a Welsh Guards military unit, with a butterfly over his shoulder.
Yeo, 53, who has previously painted Charles’ late father Prince Philip, said in a statement:
Much like the butterfly I’ve painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject’s role in our public life has transformed. My aim was also to make reference to the traditions of Royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st Century Monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subject’s deep humanity.
The oil painting on canvas, measuring 8-1/2 by 6-1/2 feet, will be on display at Drapers’ Hall in the City of London – the capital’s financial district – from the end of August, the palace said.
The Buckingham Palace commissioned the portrait in 2020 to celebrate the Prince of Wales’ 50th birthday as a member of the grant-making organisation The Drapers’ Company in 2022, the palace added.
Yeo’s past works include British TV presenter and naturalist David Attenborough, actress Nicole Kidman and former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Queen Consort Camila stopped by during the last session and said the artist captured the king well. Yeo says the best judge of a portrait is someone who knows your sitter really well, because they instantly recognise if the person seems familiar.
