King Charles II comes across as “sad” in his brand new official royal portrait, according to a royal expert. He was also “a little vulnerable”, according to Angela Levin, who has spent her life reporting on The Firm.
Charles’s fresh portrait was released recently to much excitement, and the “regal” monarch wore his Royal Navy uniform as an Admiral of the Fleet. It came amid news that the Government was spending £8million on a controversial scheme to let various public buildings receive the portrait and hang it up.
The portrait, which would be delivered framed, can be claimed for free by council buildings, courts, schools, police, fire and rescue services, among other institutions.
Levin told GB News: “I think it’s very nice, but I do think he looks a bit vulnerable and a little sad. He’s wearing the Admiral of the Fleet uniform, it’s an amazing amount he’s carrying on him – I wonder how heavy it is”.
The brutally honest assessment came just moments after presenters Eamonn Holmes and Isabel Webster had spoken kindly of the King, saying he looked “fabulous”, albeit “understated”.
Levin also batted away Holmes’s idea that Charles should have been pictured with the Queen, with the royal expert saying that would have been unusual – “they don’t put up pictures of the two of them all around the country”, she said.
The news comes shortly after Harry and Meghan were allegedly “rebuffed” by the Palace after they called for support regarding a claim made about their newborn (at the time) daughter, Lillibet. The Mail’s royal expert, Robert Harman, said Queen Elizabeth was left “furious” by the claim about Lillibet.
Nevertheless, Charles’s portrait rollout has come under criticism from some, who ask why £8million is being spent on transporting and putting up fancy pictures when the country is in one of the worst cost of living crises in modern times.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “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.”
