When we asked readers to create art inspired by the Coronation for our Fit For a King (or Queen) competition, we knew you would deliver.
And here are the crowning glories.
The overall winner was Sue McGuire’s humorous and stylish watercolour painting of the King and Queen returning from Westminster Abbey on horseback.
Speaking of her creation, Sue, 78, from Derby, said: “I’d heard on television that some of the royalty have been saying, ‘Oh, it’s so uncomfortable in that golden carriage’.”
That sparked her idea of showing the royal pair going back to Buckingham Palace using different transport. Sue, who worked in soft furnishing before retiring, added: “I’ve not been a professional artist, but I have been an artist all my life.”
Pictures from people of all ages were whittled down to five stellar entries, all different in style, and judged by three experts.
The first was Portrait Artist of The Year presenter Dame Joan Bakewell. She was joined by Alastair Barford, who painted the first official portrait of King Charles in his new role, which was unveiled last month.
And the panel was completed by Oluwole Omofemi, a Nigerian artist who painted a stunning portrait of Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum Jubilee.
Oluwole raved of the winning picture: “I love the composition and the story behind it.
“It’s a well-balanced work that takes the viewer into the whole piece.”
The judges were full of praise for each of the artists who produced the final five entries.
Alastair was particularly struck by Steve Hallam’s painting showing the royal couple in a broken-down sports car, being saved
by an AA mechanic. The judge said: “It is a humorous and deftly executed cartoon, showing the King and Queen on a journey.
“It also shows the King’s humanity, suggesting that like us all, even the King needs rescuing from time to time!”
Retired coach driver Steve, 75, from Weymouth, Dorset, said: “I am self-taught. Everyday life is a font of inspiration for my artwork.”
Joan picked out young Eva Grace Longley’s watercolour of the King and Queen as one of her favourites.
Alastair said the 12-year-old artist of Morley in Leeds, West Yorks, showed great talent for someone so young. Kevin Evans, a teacher from Swansea, Wales, also impressed.
The 61-year-old submitted a detailed pencil drawing of King Charles that was noted for catching the monarch’s “lovely warm expression” in a sensitive and precise way.
He said: “I started doing portraits around five years ago. King Charles has such an iconic face, his features are so strong and he has character.
“I love strong faces to draw.”
And nurse Judith Barnard, 62, from Derrythorpe, North Lincs, did an adorable drawing of a King Charles spaniel and a Jack Russell wearing crowns. The King and Queen are known to have two Jack Russells.
Alastair called Judith’s pastel work “charming and original”.
Craft winner
Readers also sent in their craftwork for the judges’ consideration.
All the submissions were fantastic but the unanimous winner was a knitted and beaded St Edward’s Crown postbox cover by Mary Tompsett, 83, from Comber in County Down, Northern Ireland.
Mary, who finds creativity therapeutic after her husband passed away last year, says: “I researched the details of the crown and scaled down the dimensions.”
Judge Alastair Barford said: “Mary’s crown is astonishing."
