KING’S RANSOM

Government to spend £8MILLION on portraits of new monarch

MINISTERS have been blasted for blowing £8million on pictures of King Charles to be hung on walls in public buildings amid the cost of living crisis.

From today, council officials will be able to apply for a free, framed portrait to “celebrate his new reign”.

The offer will also be open to courts, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services following the Coronation on May 6.

But one critic branded the scheme a “shameful waste of money”.

Graham Smith, of anti-monarchy group Republic, said: “If anyone really wants an official portrait he can stump up the cost. The Government

has lost the plot if they think people want their money spent on pictures of Charles. When councils are raising taxes and cutting services, when

schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much. The Coronation is estimated to cost anything

from £50million to £100m and we can see why. This waste is scandalous.”

The first official painting of the King, by artist Alastair Barford, was released this week but it is understood the portraits sent out will be official photos, to be issued by Buckingham Palace in the coming weeks.

Secretary of State Oliver Dowden said: “These portraits will serve as a visible reminder in buildings of the nation’s ultimate public servant.”

And the Cabinet Office said the move continues a tradition in which many institutions displayed official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury John Glen said: “This will let public institutions mark this defining moment in our history with pride.

“The Coronation is a chance for the country to unite and these portraits continue a very British tradition.”