Two new paintings, commissioned to mark Their Majesties' Coronation in 2023, have been unveiled by The King and Queen at the National Gallery.

The portraits, which will form part of the Royal Collection, were painted by two different artists personally selected by Their Majesties. His Majesty chose to be painted by Peter Kuhfeld and Queen Camilla selected Paul S. Benney. 

The new portraits will be on display in the Central Room at the National Gallery, of which The King is Royal Patron, from Tuesday, 6 May until Thursday, 5 June. They will then move to their permanent home in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, where they can be seen as part of a visit during the Summer Opening of the State Rooms (10 July – 28 September 2025). 

The recently completed portraits were commissioned by The King and Queen shortly after the Coronation, with Their Majesties undertaking a number of sittings in the following months Both artists were already known to Their Majesties, having contributed to previous royal commissions initiated by The King when Prince of Wales: a portrait series depicting veterans of D-Day, inspired by The King’s attendance at the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy; and a series of portraits that pay tribute to remarkable Holocaust survivors. 

Peter Kuhfeld has also acted as the official Tour Artist on six of The King’s royal tours. The exhibition The King’s Tour Artists at this year’s Summer Opening of the State Rooms will explore and celebrate this special royal tradition. 

The King’s Portrait

The King undertook two of his five sittings in the State Apartments of St James’s Palace, with its Throne Room being used for the backdrop of the portrait. Other sittings took place at Windsor Castle. 

Following established convention, the portrait of The King includes the Imperial State Crown, placed on a table to one side. His Majesty wears his Robe of State, worn to enter Westminster Abbey and for the first part of the Coronation service. His Majesty also wears naval uniform (Number 1 Ceremonial Day Dress) with medals and decorations. 

The Queen’s Portrait

The Queen’s portrait includes Queen Camilla’s Crown (formally known as Queen Mary’s Crown), originally created for the coronation of Queen Mary in 1911. The Queen is shown with her Robe of Estate, which was worn during the latter part of the Coronation ceremony, as The King and Queen departed Westminster Abbey. 

The Queen wears her Coronation Dress, which was designed by Bruce Oldfield. Made of ivory coloured silk, it features silver and gold embroidered floral designs, representing Their Majesties’ affection for nature.

All six of The Queen’s sittings took place in the Garden Room at Clarence House.

State Portraits in the Royal Collection

Their Majesties’ State Portraits join an important and impressive tradition of historic state portraiture dating back many centuries. Historically, these grand, full-length portraits became the definitive image of the new monarch, portraying them in an imposing setting, dressed in robes. Numerous copies would be made and widely distributed to courtiers, ambassadors and embassies around the world. 

The earliest example of a State Portrait in the Royal Collection depicts James VI and I in coronation robes and dates from around 1620. Painted by the Flemish artist, Paul van Somer, it can be seen on a visit to Windsor Castle. Also at Windsor is the most recent example prior to the completion of these two new portraits – a radiant portrait of the young Queen Elizabeth II, painted by Sir Herbert James Gunn to commemorate her Coronation in 1953.