More than a year after his coronation following the death of the late Queen Elizabeth, the ministry responsible for royal affairs in Canada has finally released an official photographic portrait of King Charles.
of PortraitThe photo, taken in Buckingham Palace’s White Drawing Room last month, shows Prince Charles wearing his Canadian honours, including the Order of Canada, which he received in 2017 from then-Governor General David Johnston.
The portrait shows the King wearing his Canadian, New Zealand and British medals.
Canadian Heritage also released a portrait of Camilla wearing a blue robe and a maple leaf brooch, a platinum and diamond jewel that was first given to the Queen Mother in 1939 while her husband, King George VI, was on the throne.
The department called the brooch “a cherished symbol which has been worn by various women of the Royal Family on Canadian occasions.”
The portrait was taken by Millie Pilkington, who the publication described as an accomplished portrait painter who has photographed many of the Royal Family over the years.
The federal government commissions a portrait of Canada’s monarch, which is customarily displayed in official settings and in the homes and workplaces of royal admirers.
Canadian royal portraits are typically different to those circulated in the UK and other Commonwealth countries, and have been “Canadianised” to make them more relevant.
The Canadian Heritage Society has once again partnered with the Canadian Monarchist League to distribute prints of the portrait to all interested Canadians. Posters are free, but shipping costs apply.
In a message to supporters, Monarchist Federation president Robert Finch said he “hopes the portrait will be widely accepted” and that federation members encourage “individuals, local governments and adult and youth groups in their communities to acquire this portrait and display it proudly and prominently in their clubhouses, school entrances, Rotary meetings and church halls, Scout rallies and cadet corps.”
“As an organisation deeply rooted in loyalty to the King, we thank all our members for their rational and deeply emotional support of the League. God Save the King!” Finch said.
Finch had expressed frustration over the long delay in receiving an official portrait of Prince Charles in Canada.
He said there was “enormous demand” for the king’s portrait, and the charity was receiving dozens of calls and emails each week asking when the portrait would be unveiled.
Meanwhile, anti-monarchy group Citizens for a Canadian Republic has called on the federal government to avoid spending so much money on the portraits and their distribution.
In Britain, the government has spent millions of pounds putting portraits on buildings across the country.
Britain’s new monarch, King Charles, has deep ties to Canada and has built connections with some Canadians through charitable and outreach work during his multiple visits to the country.
