King’s official portrait for public buildings unveiled

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A brand new official portrait of King Charles in army regalia which is able to cling in public buildings throughout the UK as a part of a controversial £8million government-funded scheme has been unveiled.

The image reveals the monarch sporting his Royal Navy uniform as an Admiral of the Fleet with medals and honours on show.

It was captured final 12 months by photographer Hugo Burnand, who additionally took the King and Queen’s coronation portraits and their 2005 marriage ceremony photographs, and can exchange these of Queen Elizabeth II at public establishments up and down the nation.

But there have been criticisms final 12 months when the Cabinet Office revealed the portrait scheme’s £8m finances.

Institutions throughout the UK are actually in a position to apply to say the formal, framed portrait of the monarch for free. Among these eligible to use are councils, courts, faculties, police forces and hearth and rescue companies.

In February, the scheme can be prolonged to incorporate city, parish and group councils and Ministry of Defence-sponsored cadet forces.

The Cabinet Office stated the transfer carries on the custom which noticed many establishments show official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.

It stated: “His Majesty’s accession has marked the beginning of a new reign and the UK 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 in our history.”

But anti-monarchy marketing campaign group Republic branded the initiative a “shameful waste of money” when it was introduced forward of the coronation final 12 months.

Graham Smith, chief government of Republic, stated: “At a time when a majority of local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much.”

He added: “The Government has lost the plot if they think people want their money spent on pictures of Charles. They need to scrap this scheme and direct the money where it’s really needed.”

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden stated: “The accession of His Majesty The King marked a new chapter in our national story.

“Displaying this new portrait will serve as a reminder to us all of the example set by our ultimate public servant and I hope as many eligible organisations as possible will wish to continue this proud British tradition and honour our King‘s reign.”

On his Admiral of the Fleet (No. 1 Tailcoat), the King is sporting his Garter Collar and Sovereign’s badge and Garter Star, his Thistle Star, the Bath Sovereign’s badge, his Order of Merit, the Royal Victorian Order’s Royal Victorian Chain and GCVO Sash, in addition to a number of medals on his medal bar.

The portraits are anticipated to be delivered between February and April this 12 months.