A new official portrait of King Charles in military attire has been unveiled and will hang in public buildings across the UK as part of a controversial £8 million government-funded scheme.
The image shows the monarch wearing his Royal Navy uniform as Admiral of the Fleet with medals and honors on display.
It was captured last year by photographer Hugo Burnand, who also took the King and Queen's coronation portraits and their wedding photographs in 2005, and will replace those of Queen Elizabeth II in public institutions across the country.
But there was criticism last year when the Cabinet Office revealed the £8m budget for the portrait scheme.
The image was captured by Hugo Burnand, who also took the King and Queen's coronation portraits and their wedding photographs in 2005.
(Hugo Burnand/Royal House 2024/Cabinet Office/PA Wire)
Institutions across the UK can now order the framed formal portrait of the monarch for free. Those eligible to apply include councils, courts, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services.
In February, the scheme will be expanded to include municipal, parish and community councils and cadet forces sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.
The Cabinet Office said the move continues the tradition of many institutions displaying official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.
It said: “Her Majesty's accession has marked the beginning of a new reign and the United Kingdom Government considers it right that public authorities, as part of the fabric of our nation, have the opportunity to commemorate this moment, strengthen civil pride and reflect the new era of our history.”
But anti-monarchy campaign group Republic branded the move a “disgraceful waste of money” when it was announced before the coronation last year.
Charles became king in September 2022 following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: “At a time when most councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, spending even a pound on this nonsense would be an excessive pound sterling. “
He added: “The Government has lost its way if it thinks people want to spend their money on photographs of Charles. “They need to scrap this plan and direct the money to where it is really needed.”
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “The accession of His Majesty the King marked a new chapter in our national history.
“Displaying this new portrait will serve as a reminder to us of the example set by our greatest public servant and I hope that as many eligible organizations as possible will wish to continue this proud British tradition and honor the reign of our King.”
In his Admiral of the Fleet (tailcoat no. 1), the King wears his garter collar and his sovereign's insignia and his garter star, his thistle star, the sovereign's insignia of Bath, his Order of Merit, the Royal Victorian Chain of the Royal Victorian Order and GCVO. Sash, as well as a large number of medals in the medal bar from him.
The portraits are expected to be delivered between February and April of this year.
