Last week, the first portrait of King Charles III’s reign was revealed. Meaning, this is the first official painting of Charles commissioned and completed during his reign. It was painted by Alastair Barford, a former Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust scholar. It featured Charles wearing a bracelet given to him by an indigenous Amazon leader. In general, for major birthdays or major title changes, the Windsors will give the public new portraits although the younger generations have definitely been phasing out “sitting for paintings.” In any case, new portraits have been commissioned for the new (old) king and since Britain is still a monarchy in which the monarch’s portrait must be displayed in public buildings, schools, courts, police precincts and government offices, the government has set aside millions of pounds to help people get brand new portraits of King Charles.
Ministers have been accused of “losing the plot” after setting aside £8m to offer every public body a free portrait of King Charles. In a move that drew criticism amid complaints of shrinking budgets across Whitehall and local government, Oliver Dowden, the cabinet office minister, said it was part of plans to celebrate the new reign and bring the nation together.
Dowden, who has also been co-ordinating the government’s response to the public sector strikes over pay, said local councils, courts, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services will be among the public institutions eligible for a free portrait, before the coronation at the beginning of May.
“We have entered a new reign in our history,” Dowden said. “Now as we unite in preparing for the splendour of the king’s coronation, these new portraits will serve as a visible reminder in buildings up and down the country of the nation’s ultimate public servant. They will help us turn a page in our history together – and pay a fitting tribute to our new sovereign. I am sure the portraits will take pride of place in public buildings across the land.”
However, it drew immediate criticism from anti-monarchy campaigners last night. Graham Smith, from the Republic group, called for the scheme to be scrapped. “This is a shameful waste of money,” he said. “At a time when a majority of local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much. The government has lost the plot if they think that people want their money spent on pictures of Charles. They need to scrap this scheme and direct the money where it’s really needed.The coronation is estimated to cost anything from £50m to £100m – and we can see why. This waste is absolutely scandalous.”
The government said that official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II were currently on display in many public institutions, and “offering of the new official portrait of King Charles III will enable organisations across the UK to carry on that tradition”.
In most government offices here in America, they change the portraits when a new president is inaugurated, although I have no idea if schools and all public buildings do the same at this point? But, like, if you walked into a federal building, there would be a portrait of President Biden on display somewhere. I’ve never really thought about the cost of that, but I’m sure it’s noted somewhere on some line-item budget. So… yeah… I think the British government is spending way too much money to glorify King Charles, but I also think… if there are rules about where the monarch’s portrait is displayed, people are going to want to adhere to that rule? Like, what’s the other option, just keep portraits of QEII up forever? Or try to keep up with the parade of prime ministers and put their portraits up?
The most offensive part of this (to me) is “the nation’s ultimate public servant.” Dude has eleventy billion castles and a net worth of something like a billion dollars. Don’t call him the ultimate public servant.
Here’s the portrait done by Alastair Barford. He just had to hide his sausage fingers.
Prince Charles new £8m portrait.
Be nice if he had put his hand in his pocket to pay for it, or his £100m Coronation.
But alas it was your pocket.#NotMyKing pic.twitter.com/fHfjgPjNGy
— BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) April 2, 2023
Portrait by Alastair Barford, additional photos courtesy of Backgrid, Cover Images.
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- Berlin, GERMANY – Britain’s Charles, Prince of Wales, gives a speech during a memorial ceremony at the German parliament Bundestag to commemorate the national day of mourning for the victims of war and dictatorship in Berlin, Germany, 15 November 2020. The British royal couple are scheduled to attend events 15 November on Germany’s National Day of Mourning that commemorates victims of war and fascism, during which Prince Charles is to give a speech at the Bundestag. Pictured: Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles BACKGRID USA 15 NOVEMBER 2020 USA: +1 310 798 9111 / usasales@backgrid.com UK: +44 208 344 2007 / uksales@backgrid.com *UK Clients – Pictures Containing Children Please Pixelate Face Prior To Publication*
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- King Charles III visits The Felix Project in Poplar, east London. The Felix Project is London’s largest food redistribution charity and works to provide meals to some of the capital’s most vunerable people. His Royal Highness was shown around the facilities by CEO Charlotte Hill and spoke with staff and volunteers before unveiling a freezer which will be given to the local community. Featuring: King Charles III Where: London, United Kingdom When: 22 Feb 2023 Credit: John Rainford/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE UK**
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- Commonwealth Day Service At Westminster Abbey Featuring: King Charles III Where: London, United Kingdom When: 13 Mar 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey Featuring: King Charles III Where: London, United Kingdom When: 13 Mar 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
Charles is egocentric and does not care. As long as his visage has to be displayed
Yes he is egotistical. Seems he is throwing a Trump tantrum when he doesn’t get his way by using childish name calling. Chucked fits right in with the trash maga crowd.
This is why God invented color printers and jpeg files. Send each institution the file, they can print it, and hang it somewhere. Instead, Charles is like, “Let them eat cake!”
That was exactly my thought! Get a nice photo and send a digital copy which can be printed out.
Wake up, Brits!!! This is an enormous waste of money. Why do you insist upon funding the monarchy? What is the worst thing that can happen if you say goodbye to these parasites?? No offense to Disney, but the king and queen are the British equivalent of Mickey and Minnie Mouse and totally unnecessary. Isn’t it time to let go of expensive habits??
That’s a portrait of a man considerably younger than he is.
The painting definitely doesn’t portray the real fugly Chuck. Kind of surprised Cowmilla isn’t in it also.
They did a portrait of Camilla, it was very flattering and captures her softer side.
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/drawing-dog-rottweiler-tricolor-portrait-on-430226680
I almost choked 😂
Aahhh! Clink the link for the the love of Gawd. 🤣
I love you @Zapp
@Zapp I am HOWLING ☠️
Omg I clicked too before I saw the comments! Hilarious!!!! 😂😂😂
We lost our 14 1/2 year old chocolate lab on Saturday and he’s been such a part of our life and routine that the loss is just devastating. This gave me a much needed belly laugh. You have brightened my day, I love you for that.
OMG! That is indeed a very flattering portrait of her.
😂😂😂😂
Camilla hasn’t ever looked that good.
I’m so sorry @GreenBunny.
That’s just awesome of you to provide a link! What an artistic trick of the light! Horse Face has never looked so beautiful.
That pup is prettier than Camilla.
So sorry about your fur baby, GreenBunny.
You almost killed me LOL.
Literally choked on my pasta!!!
Very flattering portrait. If only she could look so attractive in real life.
So funny!! They need to add that dog to the Charles portrait. I’d like to see his arm wrapped gently around it. The perfect couple pose.
I just about died laughing since it did indeed catch her softer side.
Thank goodness I was between sips of coffee! And thank you for getting my day off to a laughing start.
I just snorted loud enough to wake the snoozing cat. That was amazing.
That’s Hugh Grant’s jawline—
Agreed. It’s VERY flattering.
The portrait painter was very kind to Charles. And, to state the obvious, it’s beyond ridiculous that all public buildings must display his portrait.
Very kind.
I don’t think they’re required to but do probably consider it an obligation.
I’ve worked in 6 state schools and 3 general hospitals. None had a picture of the Queen, unless they did and it was extremely well hidden.
I despair that the taxes I, my husband and my son pay go towards this pathetic, pointless royal stuff when there is real need in our communities.
Almost all public services currently have staff striking to try to squeeze a decent cost of living wage increase out of the government. The age that people can get their state pension just keeps rising and rising. People are having to work until they drop for wages that they can’t actually afford to live on.
However, we can spend public money boosting a billionaire’s ego. If Charles really feels his picture should be pasted across the land then he should pay to provide the monstrosities himself.
That’s a middle eastern dictator move there. I went to Syria in the late 1990s and there were potraits of Hafez al-assad EVERYWHERE (father of Bashar). Even in small frontier towns on the Iraq/Syria border–pictures of Al-assad with hearts around them.
I see Chucky is aiming for Dictator Chic. How chou chou of him. Will he enforce mass praise a la the Kims of North Korea as well?
It’s so inert. It looks like he worked off of a photograph – and he may have.
Agree with that Tweeter. Let Charles pay for it. And the background in that portrait is pretty bleak. Ominous. Symbolic or just plain foreshadowing?
“The poors are unhappy at the moment so don’t make it too cheerful”.
Chuck’s version of empathy.
Exactly. With petulance.
They could easily fund it if they printed it on toilet paper. Just trying to think outside the box.
I know. The artist really scrimped on the background. Does not even appear finished!
The poor artist only had two weeks to complete it – it’s well documented!
And was probably paid peanuts for it
Nice that this story came out on the same day as the teachers announced another strike because they can’t afford to live on what they are currently earning. I love how utterly clueless the people behind this nonsense are, the country is in a very different (cold and hungry) place and they are oblivious.
#abolishthemonarchy
One of the options could be to display an image of a crown or some other monarchy symbol. So that they wouldn’t have to change it when a new ruler ascends. Foe example my country is a republic and every public building has our country’s coat of arms displayed as a picture. We’re too poor to waste money every time a new president is elected
@Denise, that is SUCH a good idea. As soon as I read about this, it made me start thinking about how much it will cost the UK for *everything* to be changed…their currency, all mailboxes, etc. Anyway your very smart idea solves all of this and makes total sense, so naturally that means the BRF will never actually do it.
Also, lmao at the quote about how these portraits will “bring the nation together”
The post boxes and currency will not all need to be changed. There are still a few post boxes around that bear the cipher of Queen Victoria. New post boxes, coins, bank notes will show Charles III. Not sure I understand the fuss about this. Isn’t it normal in a lot of countries to display a portrait of the current head of state in public buildings?
That is an excellent suggestion. It will, unfortunately, never occur to the royals.
Can you imagine if he did? And asked the money to go to good use? Idiots.
In California, I never see pictures of any presidents in post offices or other public buildings. Some have US flags & pictures of California state seals. Many years ago, post offices had posters showing the “FBI’s 10 Most Wanted” criminals, in case we saw any of them around town?
Brilliant idea. Completely side steps the cult of personality aspect to many such portraits.
The money doesn’t need to be wasted in the US or in the UK on this sort of nonsense.
…and Canada. Every post office, cop shop, school, govt. building, library and hospital has the Queen’s portrait. Chuckie should be paying the bill for the CW countries to replace her with him.
The ultimate public servant? What a scam. Farcical.
Watching a historical piece this weekend and I was reminded that many many years ago princes had to prove their worth and kings too – that is how they kept their posh life. But these jokers just sit around and attend dinners and have no power. How is he a public servant? How are any of them public servants? What have they done for the good of the people? They need to go. They are a bunch of jokers and the jokes on us.
Presidential portraits are definitely displayed in federal government buildings. Growing up, I have zero recollection of seeing them in schools. But maybe that depends on the state. I’d be hard pressed to recall if portraits were spread as far and wide as Charles plans to with his portrait.
The UK citizens are starving, freezing, living with waste infested rivers, can’t find fresh fruit and vegetables, losing their health care, day care and tons of other stuff because of BREXIT, but OH NO, it’s of the utmost importance that they get their personal Charles portrait and pledge undying loyalty to their useless king.
And we have yet another over-the-top Dickensian description of the horrors of contemporary life in the U.K. There are of course serious issues here, as there are in many other countries at the moment, but I would like to reassure concerned Americans that most U.K. citizens are neither starving nor freezing, that fresh fruit and vegetable are available (though I tend to stick to frozen to try to avoid food waste), and that, according to the report, portraits of Charles are being made available to public buildings that want them not being forced upon the Nation.
Here’s hoping the Commonwealth countries get that option too, CallyForbes. I must admit I have my doubts.
“not being forced upon the nation”
Thanks, CallyForbes, the royal family has their sparkly, new PR tagline.
They really just cannot read the room! Their entire PR team needs to be shown the door! It burns me that we pay for our politicons rooms and meals while they are in D.C. and they are millionaires! Someone hold up a LARGE pic of the beautiful and kind Diana for me during the conathon, upchuck fest!
If he were going to sit for eight million pounds’ worth of portraits, that’s a lot of work for a lot of artists. That would be an excellent project, actually, especially if he showcased new artists from all over the UK and the Commonwealth. But I don’t think that’s what this is.
Exactly what I was thinking, what if you made this a public art project. Or in schools have the kids do a con test for the Portrait in their school. Even if you used the money for prizes/commissions across the nation that would be better than this.
I haven’t been to my federal office building since March 2020, but I’ll say that my building never put up the portrait of Trump, lol. They took down the picture of Obama after Trump was inaugurated but never put up a picture of Trump, lol. There was just this blank space on the wall where the picture had been. I never figured out if that was intentional or just an oversight.
(and the pictures aren’t very big, they’re maybe 8×10 or 11×14?)
Yeah I have to say at my local post office they have a presidential portrait frame that is the size of a piece of paper and the portraits in it always look like they were taken from a cheap photocopy of a cropped time magazine cover, like the face will always be too big and kind of off to the side. I don’t think much money is spent on them.
@Becks, this was so petty and I freaking love it
Brilliant 🙂
I flew Dublin-Chicago last year and it gave me a little jolt to see President Biden’s portrait in the pre-clearance section of Dublin Airport. My last US visit was in 2019, but I just don’t recall seeing Trump’s portrait in Dublin Airport. I’m sure it was there, but my eyes didn’t want to know :))
It was there. It was honestly a little chilling because the security at Dublin Airport also felt more heavy-handed during the Trump years.
This is the one place I’m not against AI, they should get a royal AI painter and Photographer, and save us some money. Or Put up a plaque. Dude we are not doing to well , beside I’m sure we weren’t using sovereign paints
Where did the talking point Charles the public servant come from and what makes him any different from the Queen?
How does it cost 8million though? Are they on canvas? I tot they would just print the portraits. I was expecting maybe $100,000.
Here’s my guess: several millions are “missing” and this is the explanation. Just like William spent £12 million of Eartsh!t money just to give away £5 million. Where did the other £7 million go? Who knows, but I’ll bet they made up a story about how much certain things “cost” as an excuse/cover.
Is there anything stopping these offices for auctioning them off to the highest bidder?
I mean, is it a law that the portrait has to be replaced?
he is the nation’s most public servant…bc without public he wouldn’t be relevant. now the public just needs to say no. but too bad the monarchy still generates a crap ton for the economy to say off with the king.
@Greenbunny, I’m so sorry. I just went through this last week; our 15 month old dog died very suddenly of pneumonia and it’s one of the most awful things to go through. Hang in there ❤️
(No idea why this comment showed up here— it was a reply to Greenbunny upthread. And I cosign her remarks: practically nothing has been able to make me laugh recently, but a few of Kaiser’s posts do it!)
During lockdown they had to be shamed repeatedly by other public figures, including a 20 year old footballer, into spending £1 million TO FEED CHILDREN who were usually supported by school lunches.
A first world nation bleating about its global power claimed they didn’t have money to feed children in their own country.
Just to raise awareness of Tory priorities.
What a complete waste of money.
Let Charles pay for it himself.
The Firms really does not get it do they?
Stop pissing away tax money when people are struggling to live!
…….it’s not even a GOOD portrait. There are two digital caricatures in the thread that are light years ahead of Barford in talent.
A vignette from The Sitting
Artist Alistair: your majesty, don’t you think it perhaps would be more REGAL if you put your hand in your pocket?
Clusterchuck: no, no… my subjects want to see my fingers!
AA: but, but, sir….the chikdren…uhhh…Oh! If you put your hand in your pocket, you’ll look magnanimous!!
Chuck: is that trooo?
AA: why, uh, yes! Yes! Think of, well, Napoleon! Wait, no, bad example. Trust ne, sire! You do not want to show your fingers!
Chuck: oh well very good then. Carry on.
Artist Alistair wipes sweat from his brow, sighs, and assembles his palette.
I assume all of these buildings have a color printer? Why couldn’t they just send it as a PDF that people can print one color copy for six cents and put it in the frame? It’s not the 1800s.
You know the Romans had an expression “Panem et circenses”. This is such a sound policy during the cost of living crisis, deportations to Rwanda and Brexit! It does make sense to spend 8 mil on useless portraits instead of free school meals or energy bills support, no?
Ugh, Canada is the same, though depending on the building and location, the portrait may not be displayed that prominently. Usually the portait seems to be more prominently displayed in smaller towns because of tradition or their smaller buildings or the particular area historically had stronger ties to the monarchy (e.g. Kingston, ON or Victoria, BC). The portrait was typically QEII as a young woman in her gown, Crown and blue sash. Not sure what happens in Quebec where they don’t like reminders of the British.
There is actually a protocol of what happens when a sovereign dies and when to replace their portrait. When QEII died, her portraits in government buildings were to be displayed until the funeral. Then they were taken down until a portrait of the new sovereign is available. Guess we’ll be seeing Charles’ ugly mug now that his portrait is ready. At least he didn’t have himself painted with the Crown and all that jazz.
WTF is wrong with this country? Children are going to bed and then school hungry, Does Charlie boy and his minions think looking at a picture of him will make that hunger go away? NO, because they will be looking at those sausage fingers and thinking “, if only”.
Do they think a pensioner will look at that red faced buffoon and feel warm? NO, They will be wondering if they can stick it inside their coat and take it home for firewood!
It’s a disgrace and nothing but VANITY.
The best place to hang this is in the public toilets, as a cure for constipation
We fought the Revolutionary War for a reason. We don’t believe in kings.
And yet, on this American website, there is a tab devoted exclusively to Royals…
We don’t believe in kings, but we love to laugh at them.
Because it reminds Americans how lucky they are to be able to VOTE for their leader, not saddled with one by birth right
But, have you noticed the comments?
There is a photo of the President, VP and Secretary of State in the lobby of every US embassy. They are either 8×10 or 11×14. It can take time to get the new photos when the administration changes.
Usually the photos aren’t taken down until a new one is there. The day of Bidens inauguration the presidential photo of Trump was down at the embassy I work at even though it was weeks before the new photo came. It was such a relief not to see his face when walking in the door.
It is strange to be in a country with a monarchy. They have their portraits everywhere. In offices, classrooms, assembly rooms and even movie theaters. In Thailand they play a tribute to the king before every movie that they expect the audience to stand in respect for. It is a reel that shows him greeting his subjects and doing nice things.
I just don’t see why this has to cost £8m. Why not just email through a photo they can print off and hang in a frame from the £ shop (or stick up with blu-tack) if they absolutely must.
It’s giving Dear Leader
We never had a picture of the US President in any school I went to. Is that a thing nowadays?
None of the schools that I attended — or where I’ve worked or visited — have displayed pictures of current US Presidents. I have seen portraits — and other commemorative items — displayed in schools named after former presidents, though.
One of my coworkers once told me that her children’s elementary school did not display a portrait of the president until some MAGAt brought a framed photo of Drumpf to the school and insisted that it be prominently displayed. When the principal demurred, she said that all public buildings were supposed to display the president’s portrait. The principal hung it in the main admin office, figuring that portrait-gate was one battle he didn’t need. No sooner had he done that than the same deranged woman offered to have framed portraits hung in all the classrooms. When Drumph lost the last election, that thing came down with a quickness and was never replaced.
This reminds me of when The Forgettable One and Sofiesta brought a framed picture of themselves as a gift on their too boring to be a flop tour, tour lol. So self-important.
I know Charles’ expression is supposed to be kindly and benevolent, but it just looks to me like he’s pooped his pants and hopes no one will notice.
I was thinking that he looks a bit weak? But I’ll take your explanation!
It just seems a bit off for an official portrait.
It doesn’t matter how you pose the man. He always looks hangdog, even when he’s smiling — as if he couldn’t be bothered to hold his head high.
Someone on social media described it as the look of a toddler trying not to cry when their mommy leaves them at kindergarten for the first time, and now thats what I think of every time I see this portrait.
I thought the photo of him smirking on the throne in the red uniform was going to be the official picture.
Chuck looks constipated.
According to the Government Services Administration (GSA), there is no requirement that the sitting President’s picture must hang in government buildings. The building that the GSA “owns” do have pictures of the sitting President.
So, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if most local governments have the flag, but no pictures. Or, they might have the Govenor’s picture, but probably not. Everything costs money. Perhaps state government offices have the Governor’s picture?
8M pounds would be really helpful to food banks or the NHS. This is silly. Just have them in the federal buildings and leave everyone else out of it.
I worked reception for a state government and yes we had a photo of the current governor but not the President. Also, as others have said, it was like an 8×10 photo in a dollar store frame and not in a place of honor or even prominent.
It’s always irritated the beejesus out of me the way these welfare queens (and kings!) and their minions describe them as if they were unpaid volunteers…….
I for one LOVE his portrait, it makes him look perpetually befuddled and bewildered, and if THAT is the image that they’re forcing onto schools, govt buildings, etc etc, all the better. Charles will be forever befuddled and bewildered in the minds of all……especially when it comes to “ruling”……
Totally kidding BTW, there are dozens of things on which that 8 million would be better spent, that actually help the people of the UK. Certainly more than a dopey looking portrait would.
The only thing this portrait is helping is the republican movement. although I do really love how befuddled he looks
Also, is it just me or do royal portrait painters do their subjects dirty on the reg? Remember Kate’s portrait that ADDED wrinkles and made her look like she just farted and was trying to act like she didn’t?
How come Will hasn’t had his portrait done? Is it because of his hair situation? They could always subtly add some hair, and/or just cut off the image from the eyebrows up, like they did with his coin? 😂
A few years ago their was a joint painting of William and Kate, I just remember that the painter really highlighted Kate’s boobs.
That is a very nice looking painting, portrait, AI simulation, NFT, et all.
Sadly, it’s just a picture that isn’t even accurate of someone we don’t truly need, nor want. Especially in the common wealth countries like mine.
People need food, homes, safety, shelter, jobs, a living wage, everything but this jackass.
He’s no QII. He is Charles iLL
Unpopular opinion, I think this is not the worst use of money. Unlike the new thrones and gold carriages, they are an obscene waste of money.
It’s more that it’s a bad look when a government that keeps insisting it can’t afford or doesn’t have the money for things the people actually need keeps finding money for things that seem frivolous
Who is that in the portrait? It would have been better to spend 8 million pounds on the people of England. Priorities?
Those are completely not his eyes. Chuck’s eyes have never been kind. He’s not capable of looking like that. Well, I hope the artist got paid well for this propaganda.
The plot thickens…I just read where David Cholmondeley, husband of Rose Hanbury, has just been appointed Chuck’s permanent “Lord in Waiting” and Private Secretary. Could this be his and Peggington’s combined desire to have Rose Hanbury ready in the wings? I imagine Keen is seething. Curiouser and curiouser…
Pretty good likeness of the slimy creep he is .