King Charles III has unveiled his first official portrait since his coronation, featuring him in the bright red uniform of the Welsh Guards.
The portrait, painted by Jonathan Yeo, depicts the king with clasped hands resting on the hilt of his sword and a butterfly hovering over his shoulder.
The initial sitting for the portrait took place in June 2021 at Highgrove, with the final sitting in November 2023 at Clarence House in London.
Artist Jonathan Yeo described the evolution of the portrait, paralleling the transformation of Charles’ role from the Prince of Wales to the King.
The painting measures approximately 8 1/2 by 6 1/2 feet and will be displayed at the Philip Mould Gallery in London from May 16 to June 14, and subsequently at Drapers’ Hall from the end of August.
The portrait was commissioned to mark Charles’ 50 years as a member of the Drapers’ Company, a historic trade and philanthropic organization.
The Associated Press has the story:
King Charles III unveils his first official portrait since his coronation
Artist Jonathan Yeo, left, and Britain’s King Charles III at the unveiling of Yeo’s portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size – approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Artist Jonathan Yeo, left, and Britain’s King Charles III at the unveiling of Yeo’s portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size – approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Yeo began the portrait more than a year before Charles became king, with a sitting at the then-Prince of Wales’ Highgrove estate in June 2021. The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House, one of the king’s residences in London.
Artist Jonathan Yeo, center, and Britain’s King Charles III at the unveiling of Yeo’s portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size – approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
“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,’’ Yeo said.
This undated photo issued on Tuesday May 14, 2024 by Buckingham Palace of artist Jonathan Yeo’s oil on canvas portrait of Britain’s King Charles III. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size – approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside. Jonathan Yeo had four sittings with the King, beginning when he was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House. The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House. Yeo also worked from drawings and photography he took, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings. (His Majesty King Charles III by Jonathan Yeo 2024 via PA)
The portrait, which is approximately 8 1/2 by 6 1/2 feet, will be on display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London from May 16 to June 14. From the end of August, it will be displayed at Drapers’ Hall across town.
Artist Jonathan Yeo, at the unveiling of artist Jonathan Yeo’s portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size – approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
Philanthropy came to be part of their mission and the company is now a grant-giving body.
Artist Jonathan Yeo, left, and Britain’s King Charles III at the unveiling of artist Yeo’s portrait of the King, in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace, in London, Tuesday May 14, 2024. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size – approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings it will eventually hang alongside. (Aaron Chown/Pool Photo via AP)
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