Two freshly unveiled portraits have reignited a centuries-old royal tradition while sparking a wave of unexpected public commentary.
The official coronation state portraits of King Charles III and Queen Camilla have been revealed at the National Gallery in London, marking the second anniversary of Their Majesties’ coronation in 2023.
Commissioned to celebrate the historic event, the paintings continue a long-standing royal custom and stirred diverse reactions online following their public debut.
The King and Queen each selected their own artist — King Charles chose Peter Kuhfeld, while Queen Camilla selected Paul S. Benney. Both artists have previously completed royal commissions and are familiar figures to Their Majesties.
Displayed for the first time in the Central Hall at the National Gallery, the paintings were revealed by the King and Queen together.
According to sources, the portraits will remain at the gallery from May 6 through June 5, 2025, before being relocated to their permanent residence in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace.
They will then be available for public viewing during the Summer Opening of the State Rooms from July 10 to September 28, 2025.
In the portrait by Kuhfeld, King Charles stands in ceremonial regalia beside the Imperial State Crown. He is depicted in formal attire, complete with honors and decorations, against a rich red and gold interior, including a background with open doors and textured curtains.
Queen Camilla’s portrait by Benney portrays her in a white gown adorned with subtle gold embroidery. She is seen standing beside a richly detailed table and the Queen Mary Crown, with a dark green backdrop contrasting with the lighter tones of her ensemble. A necklace and bracelet completed the refined composition.
The portraits have prompted mixed reactions online, particularly on Instagram, where the royal family shared images of the artworks. While many praised Queen Camilla’s depiction, King Charles’ portrait received more critical feedback.
One person wrote, “Queen Camilla’s portrait is stunning. However maybe the photo isn’t doing justice to The King’s portrait…but…erm..I can’t say I’m a fan of it [sic].”
Others commented on the stylized nature of both paintings. “The painter gave Camilla some serious weight loss and plastic surgery,” someone remarked.
Queen Camilla’s coronation portrait, dated May 6, 2025 | Source: Instagram/theroyalfamily
Another echoed that thought, “Camilla’s is nice but it looks like an instagram filter applied to a photo. His looks cartoonish [sic].”
A different viewer bluntly stated, “He needs to ask for his money back!” while another suggested, “Re do for the King I think. He certainly looks far better that that [sic].”
There were also observations on the realism of the portrayals. “Camila’s had a face lift here [sic]…” one person said. Another offered, “Camilla’s painting seems filtered. She looks much younger than she is. Should be truer like Churchill’s was. Just my opinion [sic].”
Despite the varied responses, the unveiling continues a long-standing tradition of coronation state portraits in the British monarchy. These official representations commemorate the sovereign’s role and serve as enduring artifacts within royal history.
Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Piazza San Francesco in Ravenna, Italy, on April 10, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
As they enter the royal collection, King Charles and Queen Camilla’s portraits will join a lineage of monarchs whose likenesses have been formally recorded at the height of their reign.
Just weeks earlier, King Charles III was caught on camera sharing a private moment with Queen Camilla during their 20th wedding anniversary photoshoot in Italy.
A professional lip reader revealed the monarch’s quiet words during the shoot, which took place just hours after the royal couple arrived for a four-day state visit.
The photos were captured outside Villa Wolkonsky, the British ambassador’s residence in Rome, where the couple was staying. The setting provided a scenic backdrop as Charles and Camilla posed for official images commemorating both their anniversary and the start of their diplomatic tour.
According to the British ambassador, the decision to mark the milestone in Italy was a fitting one. “Their love for Italy… and all things Italian resonate deeply here,” he said, highlighting the couple’s long-standing appreciation for the country’s culture, history, and charm.
Charles and Camilla shared these moments from their trip on the Royal Family Instagram page, with the caption, “As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we are so looking forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place – and with such wonderful people!”
Buckingham Palace unveiled the photographs of the royal couple on Monday evening, capturing them beside the ancient Neronian spur of the Aqua Claudia.
In one shot, King Charles and Queen Camilla stood arm in arm, smiling warmly for the camera. Another image captured a tender moment with Charles gazing affectionately at his wife. The final photo showed the couple seated on a bench, wrapped in each other’s arms, sharing a quiet moment of togetherness.
Nicola Hickling, founder of LipReader, studied footage from a behind-the-scenes video shared by the Royal Family’s social media account. According to Hickling, King Charles turned to Camilla and said, “This is lovely… beautiful… come closer.”
The video showed Charles placing his arm around Camilla’s waist and gently pulling her in. Camilla responded with a smile, clearly acknowledging his words. The moment, though brief, stood out as a quiet display of affection during an otherwise formal engagement.
The couple, who married in 2005, appeared relaxed and united. The exchange added a personal touch to an official event, offering a glimpse into their relationship behind the royal protocols.
We previously reported that King Charles III and Queen Camilla began their four-day state visit to Italy on April 7, 2025, aimed at celebrating and strengthening the longstanding relationship between the United Kingdom and Italy. This came amid Prince Harry’s arrival in London to contest a matter regarding his security.
During their state visit, the royal couple made appearances in both Rome and the city of Ravenna, using the soft power of monarchy to reinforce diplomatic ties and cultural connections between the two nations.
While the trip was initially set to include a formal state visit to the Holy See, that portion of the itinerary was later canceled. The late Pope Francis was recovering at the time after being released from the hospital, where he had received treatment for double pneumonia.
In a formal moment outside the Quirinale Palace, Charles and Camilla are welcomed by Italian President Sergio Mattarella and his daughter. Both monarch and president appear engaged in conversation. Uniformed officers stand at attention behind them, adding to the atmosphere of diplomatic ceremony.
With the Vatican events withdrawn from the schedule, the royal delegation shifted its focus to other parts of the Italian capital. To accommodate the changes, the remaining engagements in Rome were reorganized and extended across two days, with extra elements added to some appearances.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla share a wave with onlookers as they walk through a public space in Rome, flanked by a circle of suited security and aides. Charles, dressed sharply in a navy pinstripe suit, looks composed yet warm, while Camilla, radiant in cobalt blue, flashed a gentle smile.
Charles and Camilla took to Instagram to share moments from their trip, including endearing photos of the two of them surrounded by picturesque florals and architecture. They also shared a video showing their visit to see President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale.
President Mattarella gestures graciously as he walks alongside King Charles III, guiding him during their official meeting at the Quirinale Palace. Dressed in coordinated formal attire, the two heads of state appear deep in discussion, trailed by decorated military personnel.
Accompanying the vibrant photos showing Charles and his beloved was a caption that read, “As we begin our first visit to Italy as King and Queen, we are so looking forward to celebrating our twentieth wedding anniversary in such a special place – and with such wonderful people! A presto, Roma e Ravenna! -Charles R & Camilla R.”
Against the timeless stone arches of the Colosseum, the King and Queen pose side by side. The Roman amphitheatre behind them evokes centuries of history, adding gravity to the moment. The image speaks volumes about the symbolic weight of their visit to one of Europe’s most iconic landmarks.
The royal couple’s trip to Italy preceded Harry’s arrival in the U.K., where he appeared in a London courtroom on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
The regal pageantry of Charles’ Italian welcome is on full display as the monarch walks beside President Mattarella, backed by a column of mounted guards in traditional dress. The image conveys the symbolic strength of tradition — both British and Italian — in moments of international diplomacy.
He formally contested a decision made by the British government to reduce the level of publicly funded security provided to him during visits to the United Kingdom.
According to BBC, each time the Duke of Sussex travels to England, his security needs are assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine just how much protection he will need while in the U.K.
Prince Harry strides toward the Royal Courts of Justice surrounded by a discreet but visible security presence. Wearing a navy blue suit and a patterned tie, he looks composed yet determined — his gaze focused ahead.
Although Prince Harry, reportedly, has expressed his willingness to pay for police protection, the committee in charge of deciding the kind of security royals receive says that that is not allowed. As put by BBC reporter Charlotte Gallagher, “The funds either come centrally, or not at all.”
Seen mid-conversation with a member of his security team, Prince Harry walks with a purposeful energy. The royal appears more animated here — his expression one of firm resolve. As he enters the courtroom, the personal stakes behind his appeal become tangible.
Additionally, his recent appeal is the latest move in a string of stages of a case that has been ongoing for approximately more than three years. A judicial review application was filed back in September 2021, and since then, Harry has been free to challenge the Home Office, which turned out to ultimately be unsuccessful.
Flanked by both suited aides and uniformed officers, Prince Harry appears momentarily at ease as he engages with members of his security detail outside the courthouse gates. Behind the scenes, the legal complexities he faces span nearly four years, with no resolution yet in sight.
He then tried to appeal the judge’s ruling, which failed. However, in May 2024, he was finally granted permission to state his case in the Court of Appeal, which brings us to where things stand today.
