Jonathan Yeo, “His Majesty King Charles III,” 2024
King Charles’s striking new portrait has been shown.
The 75-year-old King unveiled his first official photograph on May 14 following his coronation in May 2023. The flamboyant, passionate painting by Jonathan Yeo was commissioned in 2020 to honor the monarch on her 50th anniversary of joining The Draper’s Company in 2022. It was unveiled at Buckingham Palace.
The King is seen in the painting wearing the Welsh Guards uniform, establishing a link with the regiment of which he became a Regimental Colonel in 1975 while serving as the Prince of Wales. Since then, Prince William, his oldest son, has taken over the role.
When Queen Camilla first viewed the painting, she responded thoughtfully.
The BBC reports that the 76-year-old Queen said to Yeo, “Yes, you’ve got him.” The artwork is framed and measures around 8 and a half by 6 and a half feet, so it blends in with Drapers’ Hall, the old guild’s main building.
Jonathan Yeo, “His Majesty King Charles III,” 2024
Four sittings were held to create the painting: the first at Highgrove House in June 2021 (when Charles was the Prince of Wales) and the last at Clarence House in November 2023. Among the most accomplished portrait artists in the world, Yeo has painted portraits of a number of notable people, including Sir David Attenborough, Malala Yousafzai, Tony Blair, David Cameron, and Prince Philip.
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Being asked by The Drapers’ Company to paint this, the first portrait of His Majesty the King to be unveiled since his coronation, was an honor and a pleasure. His Majesty the King was still His Royal Highness when I began this effort. The Prince of Wales, and this painting has changed as the subject’s place in our public life has changed, just like the butterfly I painted hovering over his shoulder,” Yeo said in a release.
“I try my hardest to portray the life events that are imprinted on the faces of each individual sitter. My goal in this instance was to convey the subject’s profound humanity above all else while simultaneously alluding to the traditions of royal portraiture in a way that reflects a monarchy of the twenty-first century,” he went on. “I am incredibly thankful for the chance to photograph someone as remarkable and exceptional, particularly during their momentous coronation.”
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The picture will be on public display at the Philip Mould Gallery in London from May 16 to June 14. Admission is free. It is anticipated to relocate to Drapers’ Hall for exhibition by the end of August.
