"Both Human and Dignified"... King Charles III's Coronation Portrait Unveiled

Official Coronation Portraits of the British Royal Couple Unveiled
Portraits Painted During King Charles III's Cancer Treatment

As King Charles III of the United Kingdom marks the second anniversary of his coronation, the official coronation portraits of the royal couple have been unveiled.

King Charles III of the United Kingdom and Queen Camilla are taking a photo together with the official coronation state portrait at the National Gallery in London. Photo by Charles III Facebook

According to Reuters on May 7 (local time), portraits of King Charles III and his spouse, Queen Camilla, have been on display at the National Gallery in London since the previous day. The portraits will be exhibited for one month before being moved to Buckingham Palace.

Charles III, who served as Crown Prince for 70 years, ascended to the throne on September 8, 2022, following the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The coronation ceremony was held on May 6, 2023.

The portrait work was carried out while King Charles III was undergoing cancer treatment. In early February last year, Charles III announced that he was battling cancer.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla commissioned their portraits immediately after the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, each selecting a different artist. According to Buckingham Palace, King Charles III’s portrait was painted by Peter Kuhfeld, while Queen Camilla’s portrait was created by Paul Benney.

King Charles III’s portrait features the throne room of St James’s Palace as its backdrop. Kuhfeld stated, “I sought to continue the tradition of royal portraiture, aiming to create an image that is both dignified and human.”

Queen Camilla’s portrait depicts her in an ivory silk coronation dress, standing beside another crown. Benney commented, “I wanted to honor the historical significance of the coronation while also conveying the humanity and empathy of a remarkable person in a remarkable role.”

Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, portraits have historically been used to demonstrate royal power. The oldest portrait in the Royal Collection is of James I of England and James VI of Scotland, created in 1620.