King Charles III's official new portrait unveiled as part of controversial £8m scheme - The Mirror

King Charles III's official new portrait unveiled as part of controversial £8m schemeThe new official portrait showing King Charles III inside Windsor Castle in his full military regalia

will be distributed to public buildings that apply for a free copy under a new £8 million schemeCommentsNewsBenedict Tetzlaff-Deas News Reporter and Laura Elston22:30, 15 Jan 2024Updated

22:31, 15 Jan 2024A portrait of the monarch will be distributed to public buildings that apply under the £8 million scheme(Image: PA) A new official portrait of King Charles III has been

unveiled - and is ready to be displayed in public buildings across the UK as part of a controversial £8 million government-funded scheme.

Charles is pictured in full regalia inside Windsor Castle wearing his Royal Navy uniform as an Admiral of the Fleet and an abundance of official medals and decorations.

‌ The monarch was captured last year by photographer Hugo Burnand, who also took the King and Queen's coronation portraits and their 2005 wedding photos. A serious-looking Charles can be

seen standing in the royal residence's Grand Corridor as he rests his right hand on his pristine white gloves on an antique table, and grasps a sword in his left.

‌ Councils, courts, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services are among the UK institutions now able to apply to claim the formal, framed portrait of the monarch for free - though

it is completely optional for them to do so. The Cabinet Office said the move carries on the tradition which saw many institutions display official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.

But anti-monarchy campaign group Republic branded the initiative a "shameful waste of money" when it was announced ahead of the coronation last year. Graham Smith, chief executive of

Republic, said: "At a time when a majority of local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would

be £1 too much."

He added: "The Government has lost the plot if they think people want their money spent on pictures of Charles. They need to scrap this scheme and direct the money where it's really needed."

Article continues belowREAD MORE: Huge winter coat deals at M&S, River Island, ASOS and more as UK braces for snowCharles can be seen standing in Windsor Castle's Grand Corridor in the new

official portrait(Image: PA)The photo was taken last year(Image: Getty Images) Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: "The accession of His Majesty The King marked a new chapter in our

national story. Displaying this new portrait will serve as a reminder to us all of the example set by our ultimate public servant and I hope as many eligible organisations as possible will

wish to continue this proud British tradition and honour our King's reign."

Article continues below The Cabinet Office said: "His Majesty's accession has marked the beginning of a new reign and the UK Government considers it right that public authorities, as part of

the fabric of our nation, have the opportunity to commemorate this moment, strengthen civil pride and reflect the new era in our history."

On his Admiral of the Fleet (No. 1 Tailcoat), the King is wearing his Garter Collar and Sovereign's badge and Garter Star, his Thistle Star, the Bath Sovereign's badge, his Order of Merit,

the Royal Victorian Order's Royal Victorian Chain and GCVO Sash, as well as a host of medals on his medal bar.

In February, the scheme will be extended to include town, parish and community councils and Ministry of Defence-sponsored cadet forces. The portraits are expected to be delivered between

February and April this year.