King Charles’ New Portrait Draws Controversy Over ‘Blood-Red’ Color as Queen Camilla Creates a Whimsical Style Statement at Unveiling
Renan Botelho
·2-min read
King Charles III has unveiled his first portrait painted since he assumed the throne last May. Created by artist Jonathan Yeo, the artwork was unveiled during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday.
The portrait measures nine by seven feet and shows Charles wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975, with a domineering red palette and butterfly on his right shoulder.
King Charles III unveiled his first portrait since his coronation with artist Jonathan Yeo at Buckingham Palace in London on May 14, 2024.
The painting was commissioned in 2020 — when Charles was still a prince — by the Worshipful Company of Drapers, a charitable organization responsible for administering and managing property and acting as a trustee for charities. The monarch reportedly sat for Yeo four times, for about an hour each, with the last one being in 2022. The portrait will now hang in Drapers’ Hall in London.
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On social media, the painting divided opinions. While many complimented Yeo for its work, others found the red palette contentious. Comments on the Royal Family’s Instagram post described the piece as a “blood bath.” “I’m sorry, but his portrait looks like he’s in hell,” said another user.
Queen Camilla, Artist Jonathan Yeo (5th L) and his family watch as King Charles III unveils his portrait by artist Jonathan Yeo in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2024, in London.
Yeo, who attended the portrait unveiling ceremony, has painted portraits of Queen Camilla and the late Prince Phillip before. His work also includes portraits of Nicole Kidman, Elton John, Malala Yousafzai, Paris Hilton and many other celebrities.
Queen Camilla talks with the artist’s family as the portrait of the King Charles III by artist Jonathan Yeo is unveiled in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2024 in London.
“I do my best to capture the life experiences and humanity etched into any individual sitter’s face, and I hope that is what I have achieved in this portrait. To try and capture that for His Majesty The King, who occupies such a unique role, was both a tremendous professional challenge, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed and am immensely grateful for,” Yeo shared on his Instagram account.
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The painting’s unveiling comes weeks after King Charles resumed his public duties following a cancer diagnosis.
Camilla made a whimsical style statement in a Fiona Clare dress emblazoned with colorful feather prints, Eliot Zed beige pumps and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: King Charles III arrives for the unveiling of the portrait of the King Charles III by artist Jonathan Yeo in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2024 in London, England. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size - approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when 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 he was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House. The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House. Yeo also worked from drawings and photographs he took, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings. (Photo by Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: Artist Jonathan Yeo and King Charles III stand in front of the portrait of the King Charles III by artist Jonathan Yeo as it is unveiled in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2024 in London, England. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size - approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when 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 he was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House. The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House. Yeo also worked from drawings and photographs he took, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings. (Photo by Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 14: King Charles III and Queen Camilla greet artist Jonathan Yeo (R) and guests at the unveiling of the portrait of the King Charles III by artist Jonathan Yeo in the blue drawing room at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2024 in London, England. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022. The artwork depicts the King wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The canvas size - approximately 8.5 by 6.5 feet when 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 he was Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove, and later at Clarence House. The last sitting took place in November 2023 at Clarence House. Yeo also worked from drawings and photographs he took, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings. (Photo by Aaron Chown-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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