The newly unveiled coronation portraits of King Charles and Queen Camilla are not only regal masterpieces — they are also deeply personal works shaped by longstanding relationships between the royals and the artists behind them.
A Royal Friendship in Paint
Peter Kuhfeld, the artist behind King Charles’s portrait, has enjoyed a close working relationship with His Majesty for over four decades.
Reflecting on their first meeting, Kuhfeld shared: “I have known His Majesty The King for over forty years, since he was The Prince of Wales. We first met after I completed my postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy Schools. He asked me to paint Princes William and Harry, who were just five and three at the time.”
The latest commission — the King’s official Coronation State Portrait — took more than a year and a half to complete, over the course of five sittings.
“It was a delight and an honour to be commissioned. I’ve tried to create a portrait that feels both human and regal, in keeping with the tradition of royal portraiture,” Kuhfeld said. “His Majesty was gracious with his time and we discussed various elements of the work in great detail.”
A Muse in Conversation
For Queen Camilla, artist Paul S. Benney found not just a subject but a muse. He revealed that the Queen’s warmth and wit brought a special energy to the experience.
“It was an honour, privilege, and total pleasure to undertake the first official portrait of Her Majesty since the Coronation,” Benney said. “It is with some regret that the sittings have come to an end.”
Installed in a temporary studio at Clarence House for nearly a year, Benney cherished his time working closely with the Queen.
“I have deep and abiding memories of many hours of fascinating — and sometimes hilarious — conversation with Her Majesty on countless subjects. I shall miss the quiet, relaxed atmosphere, even when Their Majesties were engaged elsewhere.”
Together, the portraits capture not only the dignity of the monarchy but also the personal connections and creative inspiration that made these works truly timeless.
