Alastair Barford’s piece isn’t an official portrait, but it is the first commissioned one to be revealed since Charles became monarch (Picture: Portrait of King Charles III by Alastair Barford ? Illustrated London News)
The first portrait of King Charles III since he took the throne has been unveiled.
Britain’s monarch is seen in a blue suit, white shirt and pink tie in a piece by artist Alastair Barford.
He is also reported to be wearing a bracelet given to him by indigenous Amazon leader Domingo Peas in a subtle nod to his climate activism.
Mr Barford said he wanted to capture a ‘personal and intimate’ image of His Majesty that showed ‘his warmth and sensitivity’.
He could have depicted him in ceremonial robes, but this was decided against.
It isn’t an official portrait, but it is the first commissioned one to be revealed since Charles became monarch following his mother’s death in September.
The King didn’t sit for the new piece, but Mr Barford studied photos and sketches he made of him at a Buckingham Palace reception in February.
Charles is seen in a blue suit and pink tie (Picture: Alastair Barford/Todd-White Art Photography)
The oil painting was finished in just two weeks – something the artist has described as a ‘huge challenge’.
He added: ‘I wished to capture his warmth and sensitivity, the empathy which came across in his interactions with the people he met.
‘It was important that I captured a sympathetic expression.’
It comes after Barford painted the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2015 to mark her becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.
The new portrait of Charles will be the cover image on the Illustrated Coronation Edition magazine, published on 30 March.
He is wearing a bracelet given to him by an indigenous Amazon leader in a subtle nod to his climate activism.
