Insight: My Initial Observations of King Charles' Portrait

Holly Thomas, a writer and editor from London who serves as the morning editor at Katie Couric Media, recently shared her thoughts on King Charles III's new official portrait. The portrait, unveiled this week, was painted by Jonathan Yeo and captures the king in his crimson Welsh Guards uniform. In the painting, King Charles III is depicted from the mid-thigh upwards, with both hands resting on the hilt of his sword. The majority of the canvas is painted in a striking fiery red, with the king looking directly ahead, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. A butterfly hovers delicately over his right shoulder. The portrait is certainly a stirring sight, fit for a king.

Holly Thomas

Holly Thomas

Yeo has given some insight into his artistic choices. According to him, the butterfly symbolizes the transformation of Charles' role in public life. Interestingly, it was Charles' own idea. Yeo revealed that he engaged in reverse engineering, extracting visual cues from the King to create a portrait that future generations could interpret. Charles suggested the idea of a butterfly landing on his shoulder, sparking the creative process for Yeo.

Unfortunately, the portrait of King Charles and the butterfly has not received much attention for its details other than its dominant color. Comments on social media have ranged from comparisons to him "burning in hell" to suggestions that he has "a lot of blood on his hands." There was even a less serious comment referring to him as "Tampax the third" in relation to a past embarrassing moment in the British press.

However, what caught my attention first was not the controversial interpretations, but the obscured details of the painting. The King's figure appears almost transparent, blending into the background with the ceremonial uniform blurred and out of focus. This portrayal reflects the King's shift from his previous outspoken nature to a more reserved demeanor required by his royal position. Though withdrawn, his aristocratic silhouette remains intact.

I've known Charles as a prince for most of my life, like many Brits. His reputation as a frustrated king-in-waiting was often highlighted due to his habit of sharing his opinions on topics he cares about. He famously wrote secret "black spider memos" to government ministers, expressing his views on various issues such as the Iraq War and environmental concerns. Just before Queen Elizabeth II's passing, he was heard criticizing the government's "appalling" policy on Rwanda.

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)

Artist Jonathan Yeo and King Charles III unveiled the portrait of the King at Buckingham Palace on May 14, 2024. The portrait was commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the King's 50 years as a member of The Drapers' Company in 2022. It shows the King in the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he became Regimental Colonel in 1975. The size of the canvas was carefully chosen to fit within the architecture of Drapers' Hall. Yeo had four sittings with the King, starting in June 2021 at Highgrove and ending in November 2023 at Clarence House. He also worked from drawings and photographs in his London studio between sittings.

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Royal expert shares thoughts on King Charles' official portrait after he becomes politically neutral. Charles, now following constitutional duty, gave a speech to parliament announcing government decisions on North Sea oil exploration and environmental rules. This shift may not align with his previous strong stance on climate change during COP26.

Charles has been less visible in British public life recently, especially since his cancer diagnosis announcement in February. He has chosen to maintain a low profile, similar to his artistic persona, blending into the background. Despite his evolving public image, his personal beliefs seem to be less adaptable.

Throughout his reign, Charles has been vocal about his goal to modernize the monarchy by reducing its reliance on taxpayer-funded support. However, according to Tina Brown's insightful book "The Palace Papers," this transition would not require much sacrifice from the Queen's eldest son.

Charles has more private wealth than any other member of his family. As Prince of Wales, he earned most of his income from the Duchy of Cornwall, which owns over 52,000 hectares of land, including farms, homes, and businesses. Another estate he owns, the Duchy of Lancaster, was recently revealed to profit from the assets of tenants who die without a will or next of kin. Buckingham Palace declined to comment on this issue. The Duchy of Lancaster representative mentioned that the king approved using these funds for the repair and preservation of historic buildings after his mother's passing.

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In the last decade alone, the system has reportedly increased King Charles's wealth by over £60 million ($76 million). As of last year, the Guardian estimated his total net worth to be around £1.8 billion (about $2.3 billion). This starkly contrasts with other members of his extended family who have historically relied on the monarch's generosity to get by. It's much easier to support oneself financially when you're a billionaire who owns land.

Charles has shown no intention of sharing his inheritance with his siblings or anyone else, indicating that his private views may not have changed alongside his public image. This contrast is effectively captured in Yeo's latest work. While Charles's body may appear camouflaged and somewhat withdrawn, his gaze remains clear and his expression instantly recognizable. Queen Camilla reportedly commented upon seeing the portrait: "Yes, you've captured him."

Editor's P/S:

The unveiling of King Charles III's official portrait has sparked diverse reactions. Some commentators have focused on its aesthetic qualities, praising its vibrant colors and symbolism, while others have drawn attention to its political implications. The portrait depicts Charles in his Welsh Guards uniform, a symbol of his military service. The crimson red background evokes both royalty and the fiery nature of the king's personality. The inclusion of a butterfly, a symbol of transformation, suggests Charles's evolving role as monarch.

The portrait's portrayal of Charles's physical presence is also significant. The king's figure is slightly blurred and transparent, suggesting his transition from a more outspoken figure to a more reserved and dignified demeanor. This change reflects the constitutional constraints of the monarchy, which require the king to remain politically neutral. However, it also highlights the tension between Charles's personal beliefs and his public duties. Despite his efforts to blend into the background, the king's unwavering gaze and recognizable expression hint at the strength of his convictions and his determination to shape his reign in accordance with his values.