A smiling family portrait of the King, his son who is the first in line to the throne and their wives has been released by Buckingham Palace. The image of King Charles III and his Queen Consort, standing alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales, was taken at Buckingham Palace on September 18, just 10 days after Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The senior royals are wearing black as the image was taken while they were in mourning for the Queen – leading the nation in grief, but also carrying out official engagements. Charles, 73, is standing with his left hand held at the top of his pocket, while his right arm is gently tucked around Camilla’s waist.
William, 40, who now towers over Charles, stands proudly next to his father and wife Catherine as all the family group looks straight at the camera and smiles.
The photograph was taken before Charles and Camilla hosted a Buckingham Palace reception for world leaders on the eve of the Queen’s funeral.
The high-powered guest list of presidents, prime ministers and royals from across the globe came together in what the King’s spokesman described as an “official state event”.
US president Joe Biden and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, were among approximately 500 people in the palace’s main state rooms.
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog, plus France’s president Emmanuel Macron who was joined by his wife, first lady Brigitte, were among those who were invited to the reception for the heads of state and official overseas guests.
Dozens of leaders of Commonwealth countries and members of foreign royal families also attended the reception. Many guests arrived in coaches. Working members of the royal family including the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester joined Charles and Camilla in mingling with guests.
The event took place on the final full day of the Queen’s lying in state at Westminster Hall.
Queen Elizabeth II, the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, died age 96 on September 8. Images were also released on Saturday as Charles carried out one of his first official audiences as monarch since royal mourning ended.
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