King Charles’ official portrait divides public as new artwork branded ‘monstrosity’ by critics

The unveiling of King Charles’ official portrait has generated mixed reactions, with some critics labelling the new artwork a ‘monstrosity’. The painting differs markedly from the customary Royal portraits of yesteryear.

The eye-catching painting, predominantly in red to pay homage to the vibrant red tunic of the Welsh Guards, was initially commissioned in 2020 for the former Prince of Wales’ 50th anniversary as a member of The Drapers’ Company. Following the passing of the Queen in 2022, this image assumed a different significance as it depicted the King upon his rise to the throne.

Emblematic of Charles’ shift to the head of state, the portrait also incorporates a Monarch butterfly perched on the King’s shoulder, a detail proposed by the sovereign himself. As always, social media users have been quick to share their thoughts, with one stating: “So, King Charles unveiled the first official portrait of himself today. Hmm. Is it just me, or is there a kind of sinister look about it?”

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Another added their perspective on the colour choice: “A portrait of #KingCharles in red: the colour of the blood shed by oppressed peoples under the boot of the British monarchy and its colonial legacy.” A third user posted: “What in the fiery depths of hell is this monstrosity? Is #KingCharles announcing he’s an Antichrist?”

Drawing comparisons to popular culture, a fourth user likened the portrait to a famous scene from Star Wars, jokingly commenting: “C3PO: Oh. They’ve encased him in Carbonite. He should remain the monarch for a very long time then. If he survived the freezing process, that is.”

While the new portrait of King Charles has stirred some controversy, it has also garnered admiration from several enthusiasts who appreciate the modern twist. One admirer expressed their approval, saying: “Simply stunning. Here’s the new portrait of #OurKing which captures HM’s gentle and caring soul. Simply stunning, really.”

Another supporter posted: “I simply love this new portrait of #OurKing by @RealJonathanYeo and commissioned by #TheDrapersCompany,” accompanied by a series of heart emojis. A third wrote: “I like this portrait of #KingCharles, the colour is rich and the image of him somewhat quirky. And the butterfly? An image of transience and vulnerability (as well as a probable nod in the direction of his life-long commitment to the environment)?”

Finally, another fan endorsed the piece, remarking: “I really like the portrait of King Charles by Jonathan Yeo – the go-to artist for slightly edgy but convincingly recognisable contemporary portraits; before photography, to have a great painter capture your real appearance you accepted the revelation of your flaws and your mortality. It’s what Yeo captures here.”