First Official Portrait Since Queen’s Passing Shows King Charles, Camilla, William and Kate Looking Regal

Oct 05, 2022 by apost team

Queen Elizabeth II's funeral drew millions of mourners, with thousands lining up at Westminster Hall to catch a final glimpse of the monarch and pay their respects one last time. The resulting and now-infamous queue will surely go down in history as a testament to how beloved Elizabeth II was. 

While her death marked the end of an era for a well-regarded monarch, Queen Elizabeth will also forever be remembered for her service. For many Englishmen, she was the only reigning monarch they had ever known in their lifetime, having sat on the throne for 70 years, which she reached in February 2022 prior to her passing.

This was not only a milestone for her but for the entire world, as she was the first British ruling monarch to reach the seven-decade mark. In fact, she made further history when she became the second longest-serving monarch ever. She's only bested by one other ruler, Louis XIV of France. The sudden loss of such a longstanding monarch has been evident in the media surrounding her funeral. 

The emotional and heartbreaking photographs and footage that have emerged from the funeral service and the procession of the queen's coffin on Sept. 19, 2022, as well as its other appearances — such as in Edinburgh earlier that month — prove how beloved the monarch was and how deeply the country has mourned her loss. Photographs of her family during her funeral processions and in the moments after also highlight the deep loss of their beloved matriarch.

Since Elizabeth’s death, her family has continued to undertake their duty to the British people with grace and respect. One of the ways they do this is through the release of official portraits.

The same day that Queen Elizabeth passed on Sept. 8, 2022, her eldest son, King Charles III, ascended the throne. A day later, he addressed the UK as its new monarch.

Charles’s life has not been without its scandals and drama. In his youth, he broke with royal tradition several times, attending school instead of being privately tutored, as was the norm for the royal family at the time. He also became the first royal to earn a university degree at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read archaeology and anthropology.

His marriage to Princess Diana, whom he wed on July 29, 1981, captured the public’s imagination — and the media’s attention — like perhaps no other royal couple before. Their tumultuous relationship — and Charles’s extramarital links with Camilla Parker Bowles — was heavily covered by the press until they eventually divorced in 1996. Diana’s untimely death in August 1997 served to put Charles under further strain for his treatment of her before her passing as well as throw the media spotlight on her two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry.

Despite growing up with the burdensome glare of media constantly on them, the brothers have come out quite level-headed. Both are now married — William to Kate Middleton and Harry to Meghan Markle — and are busy raising children of their own.

Now, it appears like those turbulent days of the past have been put well behind Charles. Wed to Camilla since 2005, he is doing what he can to present a more put-together and composed royal household that includes a dutiful heir and his graceful wife. Nowhere is this feeling more present than in an official portrait released by the palace on Oct. 1, 2022.

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The first official royal portrait released since the queen’s death comprised only four members of the royal family but undoubtedly its most senior — Charles, Camilla, William and Kate. All were dressed in black as the photograph was taken prior to when the royals hosted heads of state on Sept. 18, 2022, and before Elizabeth's state funeral the day after that. 

In the polished shot, Charles is seen standing with one hand in his blazer pocket while the other is placed behind the now Queen Consort, Camilla’s back. Next to him stands his firstborn and heir to the throne William, who is stood tall with both hands in front of him. Next to him is his wife Kate, dressed in a long dress that flows past her knees with her arm behind William. With smiles on their faces, all four senior royals looked resplendent, majestic and regal.

Fans were delighted by the photograph although memories of Queen Elizabeth were not far behind.

“The authentic fantastic four. Queen Elizabeth would be so proud of them,” one comment read.

“A historic photo that marks Charles’ first reception as king. I love the bond between King Charles and Prince William,” a second commenter wrote. “The present & the future of the monarchy is in safe hands,” another user said.

Others expressed how charmed they were by the two royal couples. “So taken aback at Charles and Cam with arms round each other … how awesome!!!” one user commented. “Princess Kate and Prince William are such an amazing and beautiful couple!” another comment read.

If this photograph is anything to go by, then Charles’s intention to streamline the monarchy and present a more conservative and dutiful yet still reverent institution appears to be getting off to a good start.

What do you think of the portrait? How do you think King Charles III’s reign will differ from his mother’s? Let us know and don’t forget to pass this along to friends and family who will simply enjoy this.