Wearing a suit and a bracelet given to him by an indigenous Amazon leader, this is the first official portrait released of King Charles III.
And in a touching nod to his late mother it was painted in oils by artist Alastair Barford, a former QEST – Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust – scholar.
It was commissioned by the Illustrated London News and will feature on the front cover of its special Coronation Edition.
The artist had just two weeks to complete the project.
While His Majesty did not sit for the portrait, Alastair was able to study him at work at a Buckingham Palace reception in February held in support of global biodiversity, working from his photographs and sketches of the occasion.
The new portrait of King Charles III was painted in oils by artist Alastair Barford, a former QEST – Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust – scholar
A portrait by artist and Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust scholar Alastair Barford painted of the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 to mark her becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch
The bracelet on His Majesty’s wrist was presented to The King by the Amazonian leader Domingo Peas and was included to give the portrait context and authenticity, a symbol of The King’s advocacy on climate change and sustainability.
Mr Barford, who also painted Queen Elizabeth, said: ‘It was a terrifying honour. It’s a great responsibility to create a portrait of someone who means so much to so many people.
‘I wished to capture his warmth and sensitivity, the empathy which came across in his interactions with the people he met.’
Queen Elizabeth II is wearing the George IV diadem and is holding the sceptre in her right hand which rests, with the Imperial State Crown, on a table to the left, in this portrait from 1953
Lisa Barnard, Chief Executive of Illustrated London News, said: ‘Illustrated London News has had a long tradition, dating back to 1842, of commissioning royal portraits for Coronation and Jubilee editions.
‘It is the first painting of The King where the artist has been able to observe the Monarch first hand. We are grateful for the Palace’s support in making this happen.’
It came as His Majesty, who will today embark on his first state visit as sovereign to Germany with the Queen Consort, was announced as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Corps of Royal Engineers, taking over from his mother.
Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk
