Featured Image Credit: Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images / Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Topics: Royal Family, King Charles III, UK News, Social Media
Rhiannon Ingle
Topics: Royal Family, King Charles III, UK News, Social Media
Royal fans are convinced they've spotted a, let's just say, very out of place, detail in King Charles III's latest portrait.
Earlier this week, King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla's latest royal portraits were unveiled at the National Gallery.
Marking the pair's coronation in 2023, 76-year-old Charles' portrait was painted by Peter Kuhfeld while Camilla, 77, on the other hand, was painted by artist Paul Benny.
The paintings are both full-length portraits, with the King standing in the throne room at St James’ Palace, while the Queen Consort is in the garden room of the couple’s London home, Clarence House.
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Charles undertook two of his five sittings for the painting at the State Apartments of St. James’ Palace, with its Throne Room being used for the backdrop of the portrait. Other sittings took place at Windsor Castle.
Following 'established convention', his includes the Imperial State Crown, placed on a table to one side.
His Majesty wears his Robe of State, worn to enter the Abbey and for the first part of The Coronation service as well as naval uniform (Number 1 Ceremonial Day Dress) with medals and decorations.
However, it was a detail which was painted atop his right shoulder which clearly caught the attention of people online, with many rushing to social media to share their speculations.
One Facebook user wondered: "Is that a bra thrown on his shoulder?"
"I thought he had a bra draped over his shoulder?" questioned a second while a third quite boldly declared: "It's the bra on his shoulder and the bondage ties on the bed post."
A fourth likewise stated: "He has a bra over his shoulder."
"What's the bra doing on his shoulder?" echoed another, as a final person added: "The bra on his shoulder!"
Well, all jokes aside, we think it highly unlikely that the head of the royal family would have chosen to have a piece of white lacy lingerie draped over himself in a royal portrait.
Speaking of his work, painter Kuhfeld, who took more than 18 months to complete the painting after the five sittings with the King, said: "I think he was pleased. It’s a very odd thing for a sitter to look at themselves."
The artist added: "I just hope that I’ve got an aspect of the man and King, I just think that’s very important."
Kuhfeld has worked with the King for many years, having previously commissioned by him to paint Princes William and Harry as young children.