In uniform: First official portrait of His Majesty King Charles III unveiled at palace

The first official portrait of King Charles since his coronation has been revealed at Buckingham Palace.

Painted by renowned artist Jonathan Yeo, the portrait shows His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards – of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975.

The canvas measures 8.5ft by 6.5ft in its frame, which was carefully considered to fit within Drapers' Hall and the paintings it will hang next to.

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A result of four sittings with the King, the painting was started when His Majesty was still Prince of Wales in June 2021 at Highgrove and was finished at Clarence House – with the last sitting taking place in November 2023.

It was also completed from drawings and photos taken of King Charles, who as monarch is Commander-in-Chief of the UK's Armed Forces.

The artist said it was a "privilege and pleasure" to paint the portrait.

"When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales," he said.

"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."

He added: "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 commissioned in 2020 to celebrate His Majesty's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022.

At Buckingham Palace, King Charles and Queen Camilla were met by The Master of The Drapers' Company, Tom Harris and Past Master William Charnley.  

Together they joined artist Jonathan Yeo who said a few words after His Majesty unveiled the portrait.

The portrait will go on public display for a month at the Philip Mould Gallery in London, from 16 May until 14 June. 

The artwork is then expected to be displayed at Drapers' Hall from the end of August.