HM The King, Citizen and Draper A new portrait has been unveiled

The Drapers’ Company is delighted to share the exciting news that a new portrait of His Majesty The King was unveiled by The King at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, 14 May 2024.  This magnificent portrait, by the renowned artist Jonathan Yeo, is the first official portrait of The King since the coronation.

In 1971, the then Prince of Wales was admitted to the Freedom of the Drapers’ Company following in the footsteps of his mother (Queen Elizabeth II) and grandfather (King George VI) who were both Drapers.  To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this event, Past Master William Charnley commissioned the portrait on behalf of the Company.

The portrait by Jonathan Yeo depicts His Majesty wearing the uniform of the Welsh Guards, of which he was made Regimental Colonel in 1975, and to whom the Company is affiliated. The canvas size – approximately 8 by 6 feet framed – was carefully considered to fit within the architecture of Drapers’ Hall and the context of the paintings alongside which it will hang from the autumn.

The artist had four sittings with The King, the first in June 2021 at Highgrove, when His Majesty was Prince of Wales, and the last in November 2023 at Clarence House. Yeo also worked from drawings and photography he took of His Majesty, allowing him to work on the portrait in his London studio between sittings.

It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by William Charnley on behalf of 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.

Yeo said:

Past Master William Charnley and the Master were thrilled to be joined for the unveiling by the Head Boy, Head Girl and Head of Drapers’ Academy, Drapers who represented the philanthropic activities of the Company and representatives of the Welsh Guards.

From 16 May until 14 June, the portrait will be on public view at the Philip Mould Gallery, Mondays to Fridays, from 9.30am until 5.30pm.  The Gallery is at 18-19 Pall Mall, St. James’s, London SW1Y 5LU; entry is free.

All enquiries concerning the portrait should be directed to the Jonathan Yeo studio: info@jonathanyeo.com