In an announcement made over the weekend, the UK government has revealed that local authorities across the country will be eligible to apply for a free portrait photograph of His Majesty
King Charles III. The scheme, which has been funded by the government to the tune of £8m, will enable councils, courts, schools, and other public authorities to claim an official portrait photograph of the monarch ahead of his coronation on May 6.
Speaking about the scheme, Oliver Dowden MP, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: “We have entered a new reign in our history. Now as we unite in preparing for the splendour of The King’s Coronation, these new portraits will serve as a visible reminder in buildings up and down the country of the nation’s ultimate public servant. They will help us turn a page in our history together – and pay a fitting tribute to our new sovereign. I am sure they will take pride of place in public buildings across the land.”
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, added: “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.”
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions on social media. Some people have praised the move as a way to celebrate the new monarch and mark a significant moment in British history, while others have criticised it as a waste of taxpayers’ money. Some have also pointed out that the announcement comes at a time when many public services are facing severe funding cuts and that the money could be better spent on other priorities.
It is worth noting that this is not the first time that the UK government has funded official portraits of the monarch. Similar schemes were launched after the coronations of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 and Queen Victoria in 1837. These portraits have become an important part of British history and are often displayed in public buildings such as town halls, courthouses, and schools.
The coronation of King Charles III is set to be a significant event in British history. It will mark the beginning of a new era and the start of a new reign. While the cost of the portrait scheme may seem high to some, it is important to remember that the coronation is a rare and historic event that only takes place once in a generation. The portraits will serve as a lasting reminder of this momentous occasion and will be an important part of British history for many years to come.
In conclusion, the UK government has announced that local authorities across the country will be eligible to apply for a free portrait photograph of His Majesty King Charles III ahead of his coronation on May 6. While the move has been met with mixed reactions, it is an important part of British history and will serve as a lasting reminder of this significant moment in time. Photo by Dan Marsh, Wikimedia commons.