Wales’ Portrait of King Charles III

 

The first commissioned portrait of King Charles as Prince of Wales was unveiled at Cardiff’s City Hall in 1970. The artist, David Griffiths, had been invited by representatives of Welsh industry and commerce to portray the 21 year old Prince as a gift to the City of Cardiff. In a break from tradition, the then Lord Mayor, Alderman Lincoln Hallinan, asked that he be included in the portrait. He also wanted the relevant coats of arms to be incorporated into the design.

 

The first sitting with the Prince took place at Buckingham Palace in November 1969, with a final one on the eve of the Prince’s departure for Australia and New Zealand in 1970.

 

The 8 ft long by 5 ft high painting depicts Prince Charles receiving The Freedom Of The City Of Cardiff from the Lord Mayor. It was unveiled in the City Hall by the Lord Lieutenant, Sir Cenydd Treherne, on May 4th 1970. Before being permanently displayed in the City Hall’s Marble Gallery, the portrait was displayed for two weeks in Harrods, London and at the Royal National  Eisteddfodd, Ammanford in August 1970.

 

A second portrait of The Prince, again by David Griffiths, was commissioned by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society in 2002. The 60 x 40 inches oil on canvas hangs in the main foyer of Cardiff’s City Hall. This image has been chosen as one of the stamps commemorating the Accession of King Charles III by the Isle of Man Post Office.

 

An amusing account of the portrait’s background appears in the artist’s recent autobiography in Welsh, “Hunanbortread” and MailOnline has publicised the full story.