King Charles unveils his first official portrait as monarch at Buckingham Palace in fiery red affair

King Charles has unveiled his first portrait as reigning monarch, and the fiery red depiction by renowned painter Jonathan Yeo is certain to grab the attention of visitors to Buckingham Palace.

The portrait depicts him wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, which he was made regimental colonel of in 1975.

The King spent a total of four sittings with Mr. Yeo, who has had his work including paintings of Sir David Attenborough, Nicole Kidman, Idris Elba, and former Prime Ministers Sirs David Cameron and Tony Blair displayed in the Royal Academy of Arts and Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

Following the unveiling by The King Mr Yeo gave insight into the project which began when the King was still a Prince.

“It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers’ Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty The King, the first to be unveiled since his coronation.,’’ Mr Yeo said.

“When I started this project, His Majesty the King was still His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, and much like the butterfly I’ve painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject’s role in our public life has transformed.

“I do my best to capture the life experiences etched into any individual sitter’s face.

“In this case, my aim was also to make reference to the traditions of Royal portraiture but in a way that reflects a 21st-century monarchy and, above all else, to communicate the subject’s deep humanity.

“I’m unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King.”

The portrait was originally commissioned in 2020 to mark his 50 years as a member of The Draper’s Company in 2022.