King's portrait will replace Queen's in schools, courts and town halls

King Charles’ portrait will replace the Queen’s in schools, courts and town halls, funded by the government to cement support for the new monarch after his coronation next month

• King’s portrait is intended to strengthen ‘civic pride’ at the start of the new reign
• An official photographer has yet to be chosen for the portrait, it is understood

Schools, courts, councils and police stations will display a new framed official portrait of King Charles, funded by the Government, to cement support for the new monarch after his coronation.

The move, being driven by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, is intended to strengthen ‘civic pride’ at the start of the new reign.

Writing in The Mail on Sunday today, Mr Dowden says: ‘These portraits are another opportunity to honour that spirit, to remember what unites us – and to mark a new chapter in the long and proud history of our nation.’

It is understood that an official photographer has yet to be chosen for the portrait, which will replace the portraits of Queen Elizabeth II currently on display in many public institutions. 

A Cabinet Office source said: ‘The scheme will be opened later this year following the coronation and the release of the official portraits of His Majesty by the Royal Household.

Public buildings will display a new framed official portrait of King Charles to cement support for him

‘Those public authorities who are eligible will be offered the opportunity to request one free framed portrait once it is released.’

John Glen, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: ‘This scheme will allow thousands of public institutions across the UK to mark this defining moment in our nation’s history with pride. The Coronation of His Majesty the King is an opportunity for the whole country to unite, and these new portraits continue a very British tradition to celebrate this momentous occasion.’

Ministers hope the move will offset republican sentiment in Left-wing councils and universities.

Two years ago Gavin Williamson, the then Education Secretary, described as ‘absurd’ the cancelling of the Queen by Oxford University students, who voted to take down an ‘unwelcoming’ portrait because ‘she represents recent colonial history’.

Members of the middle common room at Magdalen College said ‘patriotism and colonialism are not really separable’. They added that they intended to replace the portrait with ‘art by or of other influential and inspirational people’, and subject any future depictions of the Royal Family to a vote.

Mr Williamson said: ‘Oxford University students removing a picture of the Queen is simply absurd. She is the Head of State and a symbol of what is best about the UK.’

OLIVER DOWDEN: A new public tribute that will unite us all

Pictured: Oliver Dowden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

In a month’s time, we will turn a page in our history. We are fast approaching the Coronation of King Charles III, and I know people across the nation will want the chance to pay tribute to our new monarch. 

One of the best things about this country is that we wear our patriotism lightly, but with real pride. We don’t go in for huge national parades or overblown, over-emotional displays.

For decades, public buildings have quietly displayed images of the Queen, as a reminder of her role as our most steadfast public servant. 

Now, as a new reign starts, we’re making sure schools, town halls and other public buildings can continue this by offering them a new portrait of the King, fully funded by the Government. 

Many of the people working in these buildings feel a real sense of civic duty and pride. Firefighters, police officers, teachers: they know they are there to serve the public and their country. 

That spirit goes to the very top with the sovereign – who is, of course, not just our King, but Head of State and Commander-in-Chief. 

In his first speech as King, Charles spoke about how he had been ‘brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others’, promising to serve the nation with ‘loyalty, respect and love’.

These portraits are another opportunity to honour that spirit, to remember what unites us – and to mark a new chapter in the long and proud history of our nation.

 

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