As part of this effort, portraits of the new monarch will adorn public spaces such as councils, schools, and courts, following the tradition set by portraits of Queen Elizabeth still present in various institutions.
The move, seen as a gesture to "celebrate the new reign," has faced criticism from Graham Smith, the chair of the anti-monarch group Republic. Smith labeled the initiative as wasteful, asserting that even spending £1 on such an endeavor would be excessive. He expressed disapproval, stating that ministers seem to have "lost the plot" by allocating funds for obtaining portraits of King Charles.
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden defended the initiative, emphasizing that displaying King Charles' portrait serves as "a reminder to us all of the example set by our ultimate public servant." Dowden expressed the hope that continuing this tradition would honor the reign of the new monarch. The £8 million expenditure has ignited a controversy over the allocation of public funds for this purpose.
