Charles III has always felt a deep connection with art, especially drawing and painting. For him, these forms of expression are a universal language that unites cultures and reflects emotions experienced during his numerous official trips.
Throughout his years of public life, the monarch has carried out more than 70 official tours around the world. On many of these occasions, he has invited artists to accompany him to capture, using different techniques, the experiences and landscapes of his destinations.
A unique look at royal travels
During his official tours, Charles III has developed a great fondness for portraying his travels. This passion has grown over the years and is reflected in a collection of works created by invited artists. The pieces capture places, scenes, and emotions experienced during his journeys around the world.
Notable works include The Hall of Mirrors by Peter Kuhfeld, which shows the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles with an impressionist touch. Others, such as Mungo McCosh's watercolor crossing the Bosphorus, convey more intimate moments. Some pieces, like Elephant Sanctuary in Nairobi National Park or Sunlight on Weber Farmhouse, bring closeness and humanity to the collection.
The king and the artists: a creative and close relationship
Charles III has kept a close relationship with the invited artists, granting them full freedom to choose the subjects of their works. Peter Kuhfeld, one of the most frequent collaborators, has accompanied the monarch on numerous trips and was the author of his official coronation portrait.
In his early years, the then Prince of Wales even actively participated in painting sessions alongside the artists, which shows his deep interest and artistic sensitivity. Although the intensity of the tours limited this practice, the king still considers drawing a "primary language, natural for all human beings."
The artists have also recounted the challenges of creating their works during official tours, where time is limited and security measures are strict. This pressure has stimulated their creativity, allowing them to capture unique moments that might otherwise be lost.
Buckingham Palace opens its doors to reveal a secret of the king
For the first time, Buckingham Palace is allowing the public to see part of Charles III's private collection. The exhibition, titled The King’s TourArtists, brings together more than 70 works selected by the monarch. All have been created by artists who have accompanied him on his official trips over the past 40 years.
This opening is a unique opportunity to discover a lesser-known side of the monarch: his passion for art. The exhibition offers a journey through different techniques, styles, and cultures, showing not only official settings but also intimate moments and stunning landscapes.
Since the first invitation in 1985, when the then Prince of Wales personally covered the participation of painter John Ward, the collection has grown to include more than 300 pieces. This selection reflects the diversity of places visited and the cultural richness that the king has experienced throughout his travels.
Charles III shows his artistic secret at Buckingham Palace
The King’s Tour Artists will be open throughout the summer at Buckingham Palace. It shows how art has accompanied Charles III throughout his official travels. The collection allows people to discover a more intimate and creative side of the monarch.
Alongside the exhibition, a book has been published that compiles interviews with the artists who have accompanied the king. It includes anecdotes about the challenges of creating art during royal tours. The purpose of gathering these images is to show these trips not only as diplomatic events but as cultural encounters full of art and emotion.
This private collection reveals how art has accompanied the king throughout his public life, creating a visual testimony. More than 70 tours and visits to more than 95 countries (153 km), immortalized in more than 300 works. Through them, not only the cultural richness of the destinations is reflected, but also his personal experience around the world.