The new ‘Fab Four’: Portrait a clear sign that King Charles’ reign will be centred on senior royals

Relaxed with his hand in his pocket and his arm around Camilla, the new portrait of the King that puts William and Kate at the heart of his monarchy: Palace release official shot taken on eve of Queen’s funeral to mark the start of Charles III’s reign

  • Buckingham Palace releases a portrait of the King to mark the start of his reign
  • It comes after the Royal Family’s period of mourning for the Queen ended
  • New monarch looks relaxed with his arm around Camilla, the Queen Consort
  • Stood next to them are William and Kate, the new Prince and Princess of Wales
  • Picture was described by an insider as a combination of ‘formal and informal’ 

Buckingham Palace released a new portrait of the King last night to mark the start of his reign, after the Royal Family’s period of mourning for the Queen ended.

In a clear sign that the sovereignty of King Charles will be both less formal and more closely centred on the four most senior members of the family, the new monarch is seen looking relaxed with his hand in his pocket and his arm around his wife Camilla, the Queen Consort.

Beside them are William and Kate, who also look assured but unstuffy as they contemplate their new roles as the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Buckingham Palace released a new portrait of the King last night to mark the start of his reign, after the Royal Family’s period of mourning for the Queen ended

The picture, which was described by an insider as a combination of ‘formal and informal’, was taken before a reception for foreign dignitaries on the eve of the Queen’s State Funeral.

Not so long ago, it was Princes William and Harry together with their wives who had been dubbed the ‘Fab Four’ – carrying great hopes for the future of the Royal Family. 

This, however, is an image of an alternative ‘Fab Four’ as the King, the Queen Consort, and the Prince and Princess of Wales stand together at the top of the Ministers Stairs before a painting of King George III at Buckingham Palace.

Not so long ago, it was Princes William and Harry together with their wives who had been dubbed the ‘Fab Four’ – carrying great hopes for the future of the Royal Family

The last photo taken of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - two days before she died - when she met Liz Truss and asked her to form a government

The last photo taken of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II – two days before she died – when she met Liz Truss and asked her to form a government

Despite the sadness of the occasion, a photographer had been invited to capture ‘an important moment in history’.

King Charles has made it clear that he will need to rely on his eldest son and daughter-in-law as he takes on the new role as Head of State. 

In recognition of this, he appointed them Prince and Princess of Wales in his first address to the nation after ascending the Throne.

The day before the picture was taken, the King and the Prince of Wales came together for a surprise walkabout, greeting people who were waiting in the queue for Her Late Majesty’s lying-in-state.

Despite the sadness of the occasion, a photographer had been invited to capture ‘an important moment in history’

Despite the sadness of the occasion, a photographer had been invited to capture ‘an important moment in history’

Last week the King received visiting heads of realms at Balmoral, including Ralph Gonsalves (right), the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who has proposed a referendum to remove the British monarch as head of state in his country

Last week the King received visiting heads of realms at Balmoral, including Ralph Gonsalves (right), the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who has proposed a referendum to remove the British monarch as head of state in his country

The portrait was taken by Getty photographer Chris Jackson, who was chosen by Kate and William to photograph their son Prince George on his fourth birthday

The portrait was taken by Getty photographer Chris Jackson, who was chosen by Kate and William to photograph their son Prince George on his fourth birthday

The image was taken by Getty photographer Chris Jackson, who was chosen by Kate and William to photograph their son Prince George on his fourth birthday.

Last week the King received visiting heads of realms at Balmoral, including Ralph Gonsalves, the prime minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, who has proposed a referendum to remove the British monarch as head of state in his country.

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