King Charles unveils his first official portrait since coronation – as painting's hidden meaning is revealed

The King has revealed the first official portrait of himself since the coronation, which includes one key detail Charles wanted to be added. The portrait, by British artist Jonathan Yeo, had been commissioned in 2020 to celebrate the then Prince of Wales’s 50 years as a member of the philanthropic institution The Drapers’ Company in 2022.

On Tuesday 14 May, the portrait was unveiled at Buckingham Palace and shows the monarch wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975. The noticeable red theme was inspired by the uniform of the Welsh Guards, with the shade seen splashed over much of the portrait.

There is also one special detail picked out by Charles himself - a butterfly hovering over the King’s shoulder in the portrait. After the unveiling, artist Jonathan said he would “love to take full credit for that” but it was “actually the subject’s idea”.

Explaining the reason behind the butterfly during a conversation with the King, Jonathan said they discussed how it would be “nice to have a narrative element which referenced his passion for nature and environment” and he spoke of how Charles “changed jobs halfway through the process” and the butterfly is a “symbol of metamorphosis” so it “tells multiple stories”.

After the painter's speech, the King joked “it’s nice to know I was a chrysalis when you first met me,” which was met with laughter. Queen Camilla added that she “hopes it is going to be seen by lots of people” after the unveiling.

The canvas size, which is around eight and a half by six and a half feet when framed – was carefully considered so it would fit perfectly within Drapers’ Hall and match the paintings it will eventually hang alongside.

Jonathan sat down with the King to paint him four times, with the project beginning when Charles 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.

Jonathan also used drawings and photographs he took of the King, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings.

The talented illustrator said: “It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers’ Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty The King, the first to be unveiled since his coronation.

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

“I’m unimaginably grateful for the opportunity to capture such an extraordinary and unique person, especially at the historic moment of becoming King.”