This week marked a significant milestone for King Charles III as he unveiled the first official portrait of himself since his coronation last year. The event took place at Buckingham Palace, where Charles, accompanied by Queen Camilla, revealed the portrait to the public.
The portrait, which measures over 6 feet tall, was painted over three years by the U.K.-based artist Jonathan Yeo. According to the palace, the painting features a bold red background and depicts Charles in the uniform of the Welsh Guards, a regiment he has been associated with since 1975 when he was appointed Regimental Colonel.
Commissioned in 2020, when Charles was still the Prince of Wales, the portrait has evolved alongside his role in public life. The title of Prince of Wales has since been passed to his eldest son, Prince William, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
One notable feature of the portrait is the butterfly above Charles' shoulder, symbolizing his transformation into his role as king. Yeo explained, "When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and 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." He added, "I do my best to capture the life experiences etched into any individual sitter's face."
Yeo also aimed to blend traditional royal portraiture with a modern touch, reflecting a 21st-century monarchy. "Above all else," he noted, "I wanted to communicate the subject's deep humanity. I'm unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King."
Yeo completed the painting in his London studio, with Charles sitting for the portrait four times between 2021 and 2023. The painting will be displayed at the Philip Mould Gallery in London for one month starting May 16, after which it will hang in Draper's Hall, a historic building in London originally owned by King Henry VIII.
The portrait's contemporary style and striking red background have elicited varied reactions online, particularly on the palace's Instagram post. One commenter praised the break from tradition, saying, "I think this is beautiful and such a break from the traditional portraits." However, another commenter expressed a starkly different view, writing, "I'm sorry but his portrait looks like he's in hell."
Jean Dubreil