Barely 48 hours have passed since King Charles III was crowned king of the British monarchy. A historic event followed in the United Kingdom, through the British network BBC, by more than 15 million people. To this figure we must add the thousands of people who took to the streets of London to see in first person the parade of the king. Three days of official events that have ended with a Monday of national holiday and this morning with The Big Help Out, the event in tribute to volunteering. As a finishing touch to the celebrations, the British royal house has published through its social networks the official portrait of Carlos III as king. An image taken on the same day of his coronation, May 6, in the throne room of Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the sovereigns in London. Shortly after, the first official portrait of both monarchs has been disseminated. Along with the photographs, a message in which the king has described as "the greatest possible coronation gift" the support received.
The photographer in charge of the official portrait of Charles III crowned has been, as was already known, Hugo Burnand. He was also in charge of capturing in images everything that happened on the day of the coronation. Closely linked to the British royal family, he also took the official photographs of Charles and Camilla that were published in the days leading up to the ceremony. This isn't the first time Burnand has worked alongside monarchs. His first commission was in April 2005, for the wedding between Carlos and Camila. It was also he who took the photographs at the wedding of Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton, in 2011. He was also commissioned the official portrait of Charles for his 60th birthday.
More informationThe United Kingdom crowns Charles and Camilla before the eyes of half the world
In the photo released on Monday, Charles III appears seated on the 1902 throne that George V and Queen Mary of Teck used in the coronation of Edward VII, and poses with three of the most important elements he already used in the coronation ceremony. These are secular objects as well as sacred, and symbolize the service and responsibilities of the monarch. Objects that have been used over the centuries and that his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, also wore in the official portrait after her coronation in June 1953.
Above his head, the crown of the Imperial State—instead of that of St. Edward, with which he was crowned in the abbey. A jewel embellished with 2,901 precious stones, and that is the one worn by Charles of England during the coronation procession, the parade through the streets of London that took him from Westminster to Buckingham Palace after the two hours of ceremony in the abbey. In his left hand he holds the orb of the sovereign. This piece was made of gold in the seventeenth century, and is divided into three sections with bands of precious stones symbolizing the three continents known in medieval times. Finally, in the right hand it shows the scepter of the sovereign with cross, a piece that has embedded what is one of the largest diamonds in the world, the Cullinan I, of 530.2 carats. This scepter represents the temporal power of the sovereign and is associated with good government. It was originally made for Charles II, but has undergone a number of alterations; the most significant of these being the modification that was made in 1910, when the great Cullinan diamond was incorporated.
Official portrait of Kings Charles III and Camilla, pictured in the throne room, released by Buckingham Palace.Hugo Burnand (AP)
Charles III also wears the so-called Robe of Estate. It is a garment made for the coronation of his grandfather, George VI, in 1937. It is made of purple silk and velvet embroidered with gold elements and topped with ermine skin. The same tunic with which, already crowned, he left Westminster Abbey.
Shortly after disseminating the photo of the king alone, they have made public a second portrait in which Carlos III appears next to Camilla. A photo in which the Queen poses standing in the Green Drawing Room in Buckingham and wears the crown of Mary of Teck with which she was crowned in Westminster Abbey and her Robe of Estate, made for the occasion. And accompanying the photograph, they wanted to launch a message of thanks: "As the coronation weekend comes to an end, my wife and I just wanted to share our most sincere and sincere thanks to all those who helped make this such a special occasion."
Official portrait of Queen Camilla, released Monday by Buckingham Palace. Hugo Burnand (AP)
"We pay special tribute to the countless people who have dedicated their time and dedication to ensuring that celebrations in London, Windsor and elsewhere were as happy, safe and enjoyable as possible. To those who joined the celebrations – whether at home, at street parties and lunches, or as volunteers in the communities – we thank each and every one of you. To know that we have their support and encouragement, and to witness their kindness expressed in so many different ways, has been the greatest coronation gift possible, as we now dedicate our lives to serving the people of the UK, the Kingdoms and the Commonwealth." The king signs his message as Charles R.
The family portrait taken in the throne room disseminated by Buckingham Palace. From left to right: Prince Edward, Duke of Kent; Bridget and Richard of Gloucester; Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, husband of Princess Anne (at his side); King Charles III and King Camilla; William of England and his wife Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales; Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh; Princess Alexandra; and Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh.Hugo Burnand (AP)
In the official portraits released on Monday, Charles III again makes clear what the hard core of the British monarchy is. In the family photo do not appear neither his youngest son Henry of England – who left London for California just after the coronation – nor his brother, Prince Andrew, removed from the public functions of the monarchy for his friendship with the pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Only the active members of the royal family. Those who accompany the kings are the same members of the Windsors who already came out to greet the balcony of Buckingham on the day of the coronation. In the official photo, next to the monarchs (in the center) appear, from left to right: the Duke of Kent, the Dukes of Gloucester, Princess Anne (sister of Charles) and her husband, Sir Tim Laurence, the Prince of Wales, Prince Edward (also brother of the King) and his wife Sophia, the new Dukes of Edinburgh and Princess Alexandra, the 86-year-old cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth (and who sat next to Harry at the ceremony in Westminster).