King Charles’ regal new portrait to be hung in halls across the land

Schools, town halls and police forces are today encouraged by a senior Cabinet minister to display this new portrait of the King.

Oliver Dowden said the photograph of Charles in ceremonial dress – revealed today – is a reminder of the example set by “our ultimate public servant”.

The Deputy Prime Minister told the Mail that the picture will hang on the wall of the Cabinet Office where he works – and he wants other public bodies to take up the offer of a free framed copy for their buildings, too.

“The tradition of placing a portrait of the monarch in our public buildings is long and important,” he said.

“These images provide a familiar human side to a thousand-year-old institution that is central to our national identity and carries huge admiration across the globe.”

Just as the face on stamps, coins and banknotes has changed from that of the late Queen to her son, the new King, over the past year, Mr Dowden said it is now time to put up portraits of His Majesty in public buildings.

Organisations, including schools, courts, major local authorities, police forces, fire brigades and Whitehall departments, can now apply for a free copy of the picture. Next month, the scheme will be extended to cover MoD cadet units and parish councils, too. Public bodies will receive a paper A3 copy of the new picture in a glazed oak frame in the £8million scheme, which was announced last year.

The portrait of the King, taken at Windsor Castle by photographer Hugo Burnand in 2023, shows him wearing a naval uniform with full regalia.

He is decked out in the uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, known as No. 1 Tailcoat. The decorations he is wearing in the picture include the Garter Star, Thistle Star, Bath Sovereign’s badge, Order of Merit and Royal Victorian Chain.

It is a stark contrast to the more relaxed black and white portrait by fashion photographer Rankin that was published to mark Charles’ 75th birthday last autumn.

“Displaying this new portrait serves as a reminder of the example set by our ultimate public servant,” said Mr Dowden. “Like his mother before him, the King has dedicated his life and work to serving others.

“We can see the effects of this in the Prince’s Trust – now the King’s Trust – or through his pioneering commitment to conservation and inter-community dialogue.

“I hope that as many eligible organisations as possible will wish to continue this tradition and display the new King’s portrait with pride.”