Buckingham Palace revealed the inaugural official painting of King Charles III since his coronation on Tue., May 14. It sparked a wave of diverse reactions from the public.
Renowned artist Jonathan Yeo crafted the abstract portrait, depicting the King donned in the attire of the Welsh Guards set against a striking red backdrop.
In a statement shared on X, formerly Twitter, the royal family announced, "Today, The King unveiled a new portrait by @RealJonathanYeo at Buckingham Palace. The painting - commissioned by The Draper's Company - is the first official portrait to be completed since His Majesty's Coronation. It will hang in Draper's Hall in London."
Set against the predominantly red canvas, King Charles is depicted adorned with bold pins, medals, and a prominent crest, all mirroring his regal attire. Sporting a relaxed smile, he clutches a sword, with a butterfly delicately perched upon his shoulder.
Vanessa Friedman from The New York Times says the portrait has ignited controversy. As a rule, Friedman said that royal portraits tend to be fairly staid and predictable. They might have a lot of meaning, but usually, they show symbols of state, power, and history. Friedman says Yeo's new portrait of Charles has stirred things up, especially because of the color choice, considering all the trouble the King has faced since his ascension to the throne.
The royal family shared Yeo's statement on their official Instagram, where the painter expressed his gratitude for being commissioned by The Drapers' Company to create the portrait of His Majesty. Yeo described the evolving nature of the portrait, paralleling King Charles's transition from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to the reigning monarch.
The painting will be exhibited at the London Philip Mould Gallery from May 16 to June 14. CNN reports that afterward, it will join other royal portraits at Drapers' Hall starting in August.
