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An ‘evolved’ portrait of King Charles unveiled

Nearly three years after it was begun, and the subject changed from prince to monarch, the official painted portrait of King Charles III has been unveiled at Buckingham Palace.

The first official portrait of Charles since the coronation has been unveiled. By portrait artist Jonathan Ye, it shows a monarch butterfly, reportedly at his request. Picture: Supplied
The first official portrait of Charles since the coronation has been unveiled. By portrait artist Jonathan Ye, it shows a monarch butterfly, reportedly at his request. Picture: Supplied

Nearly three years after it was begun, the first official painted portrait of King Charles III since the coronation has been unveiled at Buckingham Palace.

The King sat for portrait artist Jonathan Yeo on four occasions between June 2021, when he was still Prince of Wales, and November 2023, and the artist also made use of drawings and photographs between sittings.

The painting was done by renowned portrait artist Jonathan Yeo, whose past subjects include Idris Elba, Cara Delevingne, Sir David Attenborough, Nicole Kidman and former prime ministers Sirs David Cameron and Tony Blair.

Yeo has also painted Queen Camilla and the late Prince Philip.

King Charles III by Jonathan Yeo 2024, the full portrait. Picture via Getty Images
King Charles III by Jonathan Yeo 2024, the full portrait. Picture via Getty Images

Unveiling his work at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, Yeo said: “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.

“In this case, 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,’’ Yeo said.

King Charles unveils new official portrait

“I’m unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King.”

Queen Camilla watches as King Charles III unveils the official portrait of himself, by artist Jonathan Yeo, left of the painting. Picture: Pool/AFP
Queen Camilla watches as King Charles III unveils the official portrait of himself, by artist Jonathan Yeo, left of the painting. Picture: Pool/AFP
King Charles III stands alongside artist Jonathan Yeo, after unveiling an official portrait of himself wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975, in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday. Picture: Aaron Chown / Pool / AFP
King Charles III stands alongside artist Jonathan Yeo, after unveiling an official portrait of himself wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975, in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace in London on Wednesday. Picture: Aaron Chown / Pool / AFP
Read related topics:Royal Family

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/an-evolved-portrait-of-charles-unveiled/news-story/42d079227bed1c05dae9bb8698516c78