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King Charles III is dressed in traditional Scottish tartan and holding a walking stick in a new portrait that Princess Anne unveiled at Scottish Parliament.
Photographer Millie Pilkington captured the photo of Charles, 76, in the fall of 2024 when he was in Edinburgh to celebrate the Parliament’s 25th anniversary. The portrait, which debuted on Friday, September 26, will sit alongside one of the king’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The Princess Royal, 75, unveiled that portrait in 2011.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Scottish Parliament, to unveil this portrait of His Majesty The King,” presiding officer Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said at the ceremony, according to Hello! Magazine. “The portrait will hang in the Parliament’s Main Hall, greeting the many thousands of visitors who come through our doors every year. It’s a striking image which is a reminder of His Majesty’s love of Scotland and the affectionate connection he has with the country and its people.”
“It was an immense honour to be asked to take an official portrait of His Majesty in Scotland,” Pilkington added. “Using the breathtaking backdrop of Balmoral gardens and the Highlands enabled me to The King’s warmth and deep connection to nature and Scotland.”
The portrait photographer is no stranger to capturing royalty. She was also behind the lens for an anniversary portrait of Charles and Queen Camilla in 2024 and has done portraits of several other members of the royal family.
Charles was not present for the unveiling but is believed to be at Balmoral Castle after Sky News reported on Thursday that Prince William was traveling to Scotland to see him. The two have been enjoying “quality time together” after a busy week of public events for William, 43.
Charles’ other son, Prince Harry, is not currently with them, but he reunited with his father earlier in September after a two-year estrangement. Us Weekly reported that the reunion happened on September 10 at Clarence House in London and “was sparked by a handwritten letter from Harry earlier this year to Charles expressing his desire to reconnect,” according to an insider.
The two spoke for nearly an hour, “catching up personally about the children and what has been going on with Charles and his health.” The insider added that the meeting brought on “hugs and tears.”
Charles announced in February 2024 that he was being treated for an undisclosed type of cancer.
“During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted,” a statement from Buckingham Palace read at the time. “Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer.”
While his treatment remains ongoing, Charles updated supporters on his condition while meeting with cancer patients at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital on September 3.
“I’m not too bad,” Charles said to one of the patients, who is battling prostate cancer, according to Hello!.
“Half the problem is detecting it … in time,” Charles told him. “The great thing I think is they’re getting better and better at dealing with these things. The trouble is there’s always hope down the road. I am sorry about that, it’s so frustrating.”
