Just a day after being in the company of the King, outgoing District Council Chairman Cllr Mike Clarke said it was a great honour to unveil the Monarch’s portrait at the North Kesteven council offices.
A year after the coronation of King Charles III an official portrait has been made available for councils to display, in keeping with a long-held tradition of displaying such pictures in public buildings to signifying their importance at the heart of national life.
In his last official duty as District Council Chairman for the 2023-24 civic year – and just hours after being in the King’s presence at a Buckingham Palace Garden party – Cllr Clarke was joined by the King's representative within Lincolnshire, Lord Lieutenant Toby Dennis to reveal the portrait ahead of the Annual Council meeting.
“It is with great honour and profound respect that one of my very last acts as Chairman is to unveil the new portrait of our King, a symbol of the enduring spirit and unity of our nation. This portrait is not just a representation of a monarch; it is a celebration of our collective history, achievements, and aspirations.
“As we reveal this portrait, let us reflect on the values that His Majesty embodies — duty, service, and dedication to the people”; values, he said, shared by all elected Members.
“May this portrait stand as a testament to the King’s unwavering commitment to our country’s wellbeing and a poignant reminder of our shared responsibilities in governance and our collective commitment to compassionate and collaborative citizenship. It symbolizes our partnership in upholding the principles of state and the pursuit of the common good.”
The photograph of His Majesty was taken last autumn 2023 at Windsor Castle by photographer Hugo Burnand.