Institutions across the UK will be able to apply for a copy of the portrait as part of a controversial £8 million government-funded scheme

A new official portrait of King Charles in military regalia which will hang in public buildings across the UK as part of a controversial £8million government-funded scheme has been unveiled.
The picture shows the monarch wearing his Royal Navy uniform as an Admiral of the Fleet with medals and honours on display.
It was captured last year by photographer Hugo Burnand, who also took the King and Queen’s coronation portraits and their 2005 wedding photos, and will replace those of Queen Elizabeth II at public institutions up and down the country.
But there were criticisms last year when the Cabinet Office revealed the portrait scheme’s £8m budget.
Institutions across the UK are now able to apply to claim the formal, framed portrait of the monarch for free. Among those eligible to apply are councils, courts, schools, police forces and fire and rescue services.
In February, the scheme will be extended to include town, parish and community councils and Ministry of Defence-sponsored cadet forces.
The Cabinet Office said the move carries on the tradition which saw many institutions display official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II.
It said: “His Majesty’s accession has marked the beginning of a new reign and the UK Government considers it right that public authorities, as part of the fabric of our nation, have the opportunity to commemorate this moment, strengthen civil pride and reflect the new era in our history.”
But anti-monarchy campaign group Republic branded the initiative a “shameful waste of money” when it was announced ahead of the coronation last year.

Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: “At a time when a majority of local councils are raising taxes and cutting public services, when schools and hospitals are struggling, to spend even £1 on this nonsense would be £1 too much.”
He added: “The Government has lost the plot if they think people want their money spent on pictures of Charles. They need to scrap this scheme and direct the money where it’s really needed.”
Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “The accession of His Majesty The King marked a new chapter in our national story.
“Displaying this new portrait will serve as a reminder to us all of the example set by our ultimate public servant and I hope as many eligible organisations as possible will wish to continue this proud British tradition and honour our King‘s reign.”
On his Admiral of the Fleet (No. 1 Tailcoat), the King is wearing his Garter Collar and Sovereign’s badge and Garter Star, his Thistle Star, the Bath Sovereign’s badge, his Order of Merit, the Royal Victorian Order’s Royal Victorian Chain and GCVO Sash, as well as a host of medals on his medal bar.
The portraits are expected to be delivered between February and April this year.

1 – Order of Merit 

The Order of Merit – appointment to which is in the personal gift of the sovereign – is limited to just 24 living members.
It currently includes the artist David Hockney and former Australian prime minister John Howard. 
Others are the Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye, who designed the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, and Canadian Margaret MacMillan, professor of history at the University of Toronto and emeritus professor of international history at Oxford University. 

2 – Royal Victorian Chain 

Awards in the Royal Victorian Order are made by The King to people who have served him or the Monarchy in a personal way.
The Order was founded in April 1896 by Queen Victoria as a way of rewarding personal service to her, on her own initiative rather than by ministerial recommendation and remains entirely within the Sovereign’s personal gift.

3 – Order of the Garter Star

The Order of the Garter – formally the Most Noble Order of the Garter – is an order of chivalry founded by Edward III in 1348 and regarded as the most prestigious British order of chivalry.Appointments are made at the sovereign’s sole discretion.
Membership of the Order is limited to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and no more than 24 living members, or companions. 
Charles was inducted into the order in 1968.

4 – Garter Collar and Badge

The Garter Collar and Badge was created by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell in 1828.

5 – GCVO Sash (Royal Victorian Order) 

The GCVO Sash is worn by Knights and Dames of the Grand Cross – the Order’s highest level. 
It is seen in the image above running across Charles’ chest. 

6 – Thistle Star 

The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle was was founded in 1687 by King James VII of Scotland.
The Order consists of the sovereign and sixteen knights and ladies, as well as certain ‘extra’ knights (members of the British Royal Family and foreign monarchs).
The sovereign alone grants membership.

7 – Ceremonial day coat with the rank of admiral of the fleet 

His Majesty as is wearing a uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet (No.1 Tailcoat). 

8 – Bath Sovereign’s badge

This Order of the Bath was founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The order consists of the sovereign and three classes of members.
The name is said to come from the medieval ceremony for appointing a knight, which involved bathing to purify.
The Order of the Bath is the fourth most senior of the British Orders of Chivalry.

The King’s 10 medals 

King Charles wears this bar of 10 medals to most major royal events. They include medals created for the Queen’s coronation and jubilees. 
He also wears medals awarded by the armed forces of Canada and New Zealand.