This photo provided by Buckingham Palace on Monday, January 15, 2024 is the new official portrait of Britain's King Charles III, taken in 2023 at Windsor Castle, England. Copies of the portrait will be hung in public buildings across the UK as part of a government-funded scheme. As part of the celebrations of the new regency, a copy of the portrait will be made available to the authorities free of charge.
The photo, taken at Windsor Castle last year, shows the king wearing a Royal Navy Admiral of the Fleet uniform decorated with medals.
Public institutions such as courts, schools and municipalities can request free copies of the oak-framed portrait by photographer Hugo Burnand. The framed portrait measures 64 centimeters by 51 centimeters (20 inches).
British photographer Burnand has long had close ties with the royal family and took official photos at the coronation of Charles and Queen Camilla. He also took the official photos of Charles and Camilla's wedding in 2005 and William and Catherine's wedding in 2011.
“Official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II are currently on display in many public institutions, and the offering of the new official portrait of King Charles III. will enable organizations across the UK to continue this tradition,” the UK Cabinet Office said in a press release. last year.
However, the portrait project costs £8 million (10 million euros) was criticized by the anti-monarchy group Republic a “shameful waste of money”.
“At a time when most local authorities are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, spending even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much,” he lamented. Graham SmithExecutive Director of the Republic, following the government's announcement in April.
Britain's Cabinet Office said in a press release on Monday that the king's portrait “will reflect the new era of our history.”
It is not yet clear how many public bodies have requested a portrait, and the Cabinet Office told CNN on Tuesday that it did not have the figures. The commissioned portraits will be delivered from February and commercial copies will be available, the British government said.