Overview

• The official Coronation State Portraits of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, painted by Peter Kuhfeld and Paul Benney respectively, were unveiled on May 6, 2025, at London’s National Gallery.
• The portraits commemorate their 2023 coronation and will remain on display at the National Gallery until June 5 before being relocated to Buckingham Palace’s Throne Room.
• Art historian Dr. Bendor Grosvenor suggested a possible “sad hidden meaning” in King Charles’s portrait, interpreting its symbolism as reflective of the monarchy’s continuity and the King’s health.
• Queen Camilla personally selected Paul Benney as her portrait artist and attended the unveiling in a Fiona Clare dress adorned with the Raspberry Pip Brooch from Queen Elizabeth II’s collection.
• Public reactions to the portraits have been mixed, with some praising their symbolic depth and modernity while others critiqued specific artistic choices.