KING ON CANVAS
King Charles unveils his first official portrait since coronation as he continues cancer treatment
The portrait artist has painted actors, celebrities and world leaders
KING Charles has unveiled his first official portrait since his coronation with a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
The painting is by Jonathan Yeo who is known for portraits of Paris Hilton, Grayson Perry, and Cara Delevingne.
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Yeo was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of The Drapers’ Company in 2022.
The portrait depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975.
The canvas size - approximately 8 1/2 by 6 1/2 feet 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 His Majesty was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House.
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The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House.
Yeo also worked from drawings and photography he took of His Majesty, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings.
Yeo said: "It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers' Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty The King, the first to be unveiled since his Coronation.
“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.
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“I do my best to capture the life experiences etched into any individual sitter's face.
“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.
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“I’m unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King."
At Buckingham Palace today, The King and Queen meet The Master of The Drapers’ Company, Tom Harris and Past Master, William Charnley.
Together they will say a few words after the unveiling.
The portrait will go on public display for a month at the Philip Mould Gallery in London, from the 16th May until 14th June.
The artwork is expected to be displayed at Drapers’ Hall from the end of August.
Others painted by Yeo include Doreen Lawrence, actors Nicole Kidman, Giancarlo Esposito, Dennis Hopper, Idris Elba & Sienna Miller, artists Damien Hirst and Grayson Perry, supermodel Cara Delevingne, as well as former world leaders Tony Blair, David Cameron, Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Juan Manuel Santos.
He has also previously produced commissions of Prince Philip and Her Majesty Queen Camilla.
Official portrait photographs were released of King Charles following his Coronation in May 2023.
The King, wearing the Robes of his Estate, is seen on his throne holding the dazzling Orb in his left hand and the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross in his right.
King Charles is pictured wearing the Imperial State Crown which he donned for the carriage ride from Westminster Abbey to Buckingham Palace and when he waved to crowds from the balcony.
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The news comes after Charles had an emotional chat about his cancer treatment with a veteran and spoke about his "loss of taste" side effect.
His Majesty was at the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire, to make Prince William Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps.
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