Public authorities to get a free official portrait of the King
An £8 million government-funded scheme is offering public authorities the chance to claim a free portrait of the King.
Councils, courts, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services will be among the UK institutions across that will be offered a new official portrait photograph.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, said the portrait, which has yet to be released, will “serve as a visible reminder in buildings up and down the country of the nation’s ultimate public servant.”
Pride of place
He added: “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 prized official portrait has yet to be released by the Royal Household.
Organisations will be able to request one free framed portrait.
Further details of the scheme, which is to open later this year, including which institutions are eligible have yet to be announced.
The Cabinet Office said the move follows in a tradition which has seen many institutions display official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen said: “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.”
‘Scandalous’
But Graham Smith of anti-monarchy campaign Republic said: “This is a shameful waste of money. 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.
“Charles dodged a huge tax bill last year, when he inherited an estimated £650 million from the Queen. Surely if anyone really wants an official portrait he can stump up the cost himself?
“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.
“The coronation is estimated to cost anything from £50-£100 million – and we can see why. This waste is absolutely scandalous.”
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Portrait burning anyone ?
Just love the way people attack the Royals when the real enemy is this English parliament. The Royals are nothing more than an insignificant diversionary tool. Put your strength and energy in to bringing down these corrupt self serving opportunists who care nothing for either the UK and its people let alone Wales and the Welsh. Remember it wasn’t Charles idea to have his portrait distributed but this government using your money and resources. You will never ever achieve a Republic in your lifetime but for Gods sake work for and fight for a parliament that truly works for and… Read more »
They pretend to be British, while gallivanting around pretending to speak for people they resent. They are very much the problem. Their Germanic institution only exists because it, for centuries hunted down the Real British monarchs. Yma O Hyd!
A down vote again? For stating Historical facts. Why are people so adverse to understanding that To be Welsh, or Cymric, is to be British. It’s the same thing! Two terms (Welsh and British) used to describe one culture. Welsh being an English term and British (or Briton) being a Roman term.
I agree. I’m not a fan of the Royal family, but self-determination for Wales is far more of a pressing issue for me. There maybe plenty of people out there who would be prepared to support independence but are not necessarily opposed the monarchy. Look at Canada, New Zealand or Australia for example. The SNP have come around to this by stating that an independent Scotland would still keep the Monarchy as head of state. Both Salmond and Sturgeon demonstrated their respect for the Queen. Contrast that to Leanne Wood’s Mrs Windsor remarks, which if anything was more of a… Read more »
The English royalty started the problem with invasion, they now represent the current arrogance of brexit nonsense. They have to go as quickly as indy can come. They give out medals of Empire, crimes committed accross the globe. They are the core of the rot to me. I cannot anti democracy and people above the law.
Be like a HS2 train, never seen in Cymru…
Which is a good thing right? Him being German and all. Did you see he went home for a few days? I really, really wished he decided to stay there.
Ah, Just Like North Korea, I knew we had something in common. But ofcourse, we being in the west aren’t under any sort of propaganda. Are we?!
Another shameful waste of money at a time when people are struggling. Another attempt to make the irrelevant English royal family relevant in some way. The coronation should be scrapped, who cares anyway
A free portrait of King Charles lol. It’s not free We are paying for it out if our taxation to the tune of £8 million. Dim diolch!
Ah, but it all makes sense now. No wonder the Tories took back £155 million of our block. Wales is bloody funding this sycophantic cap doffing exercise.
In this Union. only England counts , as for Wales Scotland and the north of Ireland .
I say let them eat Battenberg cake.
Every leisure centre could hang one in the foyer just before it’s shut down
Siarl y III? Nid yw’n frenin arnai i. 🏴
Charles the III? He’s no king of mine. 🏴