
Coronation portrait of UK's King Charles unveiled
LONDON, May 6 (Reuters) - The official coronation portrait of Britain's King Charles was made public on Tuesday, two years after he was crowned, in a tradition dating back more than 400 years to a time when such a painting often became the defining image of a monarch.
The portrait of Charles, in his Robe of State standing beside the Imperial State Crown, and one of his wife, Queen Camilla, will go on display in London's National Gallery for a month before being moved to Buckingham Palace, their permanent home, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Tuesday.
Charles, 76, who was diagnosed with an unspecified form of cancer early last year some 10 months after his coronation, has been sitting for the portrait while he undergoes treatment.
The king and queen commissioned the paintings shortly after the coronation ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey, choosing different artists. Charles was painted by Peter Kuhfeld, while Camilla selected Paul Benney, Buckingham Palace said.
"I have tried to produce a painting that is both human and regal, continuing the tradition of royal portraiture," Kuhfeld said in a statement of the image of the king whose backdrop is the Throne Room in St James's Palace.
Camilla is seen wearing her Coronation Dress of ivory coloured silk, next to a different crown. Benney said he wanted to acknowledge the historic nature of the coronation while also showing "the humanity and empathy of such an extraordinary person taking on an extraordinary role".
Historically, the paintings were used as a show of power. The earliest example in the royal collection is the state portrait of James I of England, James VI of Scotland, from 1620.
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The Guardian
2 hours ago
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‘Dad strikes' in London and Edinburgh demand better paternity leave
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The Independent
3 hours ago
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Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
King Charles holds emotional private reunion with former Royal Navy mates at Buckingham Palace
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They added: 'His Majesty was greatly looking forward to seeing his old shipmates and no doubt sharing a few salty tales on the trip down memory sea-lane. 'He is most grateful for their continued loyalty, laughter and support over the decades, and looked forward to hearing where life's journeys had taken them all. 'As we approach the 50th Anniversary of The King's Trust, which was initially funded with His Majesty's £7,400 severance pay from the Navy, it was a timely opportunity to reflect on what great things have sprung from those formative years – including lifelong friendships and a continued commitment to public service.' It comes after the King has praised a 101-year-old veteran as 'amazing' and told him to keep drinking whisky during a visit to Lancashire on Monday. Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at the Ceremony of the Keys at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Richard's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic,' before cheekily adding 'keep drinking the whisky' as he left. Richard, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' During 1972 he experienced life at sea during the Cold War on HMS Dolphin, sailing with hunter-killer HMS Churchill, studying navigation at HMS Mercury and minehunter HMS Glasserton. Pictured during 'familiarisation' training in 1974 at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines Charles was dressed in a dove grey suit with a cherry-toned patterned tie and a matching kerchief in his breast pocket. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. 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The King was also gifted a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn.