King Charles’ New Portrait Sends a Clear Response to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Amid Rift

King Charles’s official coronation portrait was made public on 6 May, two years after he was crowned. It came just four days after Prince Harry’s bombshell BBC interview, where he candidly revealed that his father refuses to speak to him. Reportedly, Charles’s portrait was a befitting response to Harry and Meghan Markle, intended to convey that he is solely focused on his role as Head of State despite their public airing of grievances.

Along with Charles's, a portrait of his wife, Queen Camilla, will also be displayed at London’s National Gallery before being moved to Buckingham Palace. As reported by The List, Charles aimed to show that he is focused on his role as monarch rather than family discord. Art historian Dr. Bendor Grosvenor, taking to X (formerly Twitter), also echoed that the portrait shows Charles' focus on the monarchy. He argued, "The King turns away from us, looks into the distance, and begins to fall into shadow. The crown is in the light, dazzlingly so. The picture is more monarchy than monarch."

Renowned artists Peter Kuhfeld and Paul Benney painted the portraits of Charles and Camilla. As reported by Sky News, Kuhfeld expressed his hope that he had captured the essence of "the man and the King" in his work. As per Tyla, Charles undertook two of his five sittings for the painting at the State Apartments of St. James’ Palace, with its Throne Room used for the backdrop. Following the 'established convention,' his portrait includes the prosperous Imperial State Crown, placed on a table to one side. Charles also proudly dons his Robe of State and a naval uniform with medals and decorations. The monarch had first worn the Robe of State during his highly televised coronation. This goes on to show the King's commitment to his duty as Head of State and the Crown.

After Harry's scathing interview with the BBC, Charles reportedly had only 'one wish' for his family. As reported by Hello! magazine, he wanted the focus to remain firmly on remembrance of the VE Day celebrations, rather than his son's claims. Buckingham Palace also hoped that “nothing will detract or distract from celebrating with full cheer and proud hearts that precious victory and those brave souls, on this most special and poignant of anniversaries.”

In his interview, Harry had alleged that the Firm was behind the removal of his security, so that he and Markle could be dissuaded from leaving the UK. As a befitting reply to the accusations, Charles reportedly made a 'power move' on the Buckingham Palace balcony to send a 'timely message' to his son. Body language expert Judi James told The Mirror, "Royal balcony moments always show the Firm at their highest status, best, standing in a position of ultimate power as a strong family unit while looking down on the massed crowds of their subjects."