The scheme will begin later this year after King Charles’s coronation (File)
London:
Britain has raised nearly £8 million for its public sector officials to be able to apply for free portraits of King Charles III as part of plans to celebrate the new reign following the death of Queen Elizabeth II last year. Funding has been disclosed.
The Cabinet Office said councils, courts, schools, police forces, fire and rescue services and other state-funded organizations across the length and breadth of the UK would be among public institutions to be presented a new official portrait photograph of the 74-year-old. -Old Monarchs, funded by UK taxpayers.
The announcement later this week comes ahead of the ceremony for the coronation of the King and Queen Consort Camilla at Westminster Abbey in London on May 6.
“We have entered a new reign in our history. Now as we unite in preparation for the grandeur of the King’s coronation, these new images serve as a visual reminder of the nation’s supreme public servant in the buildings above and below.” Will work as.” Office Minister Oliver Dowden said on Saturday.
He added, “They will help us turn a page in our history together – and pay fitting tribute to our new sovereign. I am sure they will find pride of place in public buildings across the country.”
The government said official portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who died last September aged 96, are currently on display in a number of public institutions, and the new portrait of Charles aims to carry on that tradition.
John Glen, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: “This scheme will allow thousands of public institutions across the UK to proudly mark this defining moment in our country’s history.”
“The coronation of His Majesty the King is an occasion for the whole country to come together, and these new portraits continue a very British tradition to celebrate this momentous occasion,” he said.
The plan will begin later this year following the coronation and the release of official portraits of the monarch by Buckingham Palace.
Those public authorities who are eligible will be given the opportunity to request a free framed portrait following the release of the list to be issued by the Palace.
However, there has been some criticism over the large taxpayer funding being dedicated to the scheme.
“At a time when most local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, spending even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much,” said the chief executive of the opposition Officer Graham Smith said. The monarchy group Republic which campaigns for Britain to become a republic said in a statement.
“The coronation is estimated to have cost anything from £50-100 million – and we can see why. The waste is absolutely reprehensible,” it said.
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