The UK Cabinet Office has defended its decision to commission a new official portrait of King Charles III, despite facing criticism over the cost of the project. The photograph, taken by society photographer Hugo Burnand, shows the king in full military regalia and is set to be displayed in public buildings across the UK.
The government has allocated £8 million for the project, which will allow public authorities to apply for a free framed portrait of the king. However, the initiative has faced backlash from critics, including anti-monarchy group Republic, who have labeled it a “shameful waste of money” at a time when public services are being cut and taxes are rising.
Despite the criticism, Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has defended the project, stating that the portrait will serve as a reminder of the example set by King Charles III as a public servant. The Cabinet Office also claimed that the new portrait will “reflect the new era in our history.”
Critics, however, argue that the government’s allocation of funds to this project is misguided, with Republic’s chief executive Graham Smith calling for the scheme to be scrapped and the money directed to where it is really needed. The initiative has sparked debate over the relevance of spending public funds on portraits of the monarch, especially at a time when the country is facing economic challenges.
The government has remained firm in its decision to proceed with the project, stating that official portraits of the monarch are a long-standing tradition in public institutions. Despite the controversy, the unveiling of the new portrait of King Charles III is set to continue as planned, with public bodies able to apply for the portraits until February 2nd.
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Photo credit www.euronews.com
