Public Reaction to King Charles III's Official Portrait Sparks Controversy on Social Media

The debut of King Charles III's official portrait following his coronation has sparked a variety of responses on social media. The portrait, which features the British monarch in a vivid red uniform, was revealed to the public on Tuesday, prompting a range of opinions online. While some praised the striking artwork, others described it as 'satanic' and 'disturbing'.

Measuring 230cm by 165.5cm (7.5 feet by 5.4 feet), the oil on canvas painting was created by Jonathan Yeo, known for his previous portraits of Charles's wife, Camilla, in 2014, and his father, Prince Philip, in 2008. The portrait showcases King Charles III in the ceremonial red uniform of the Welsh Guards against a backdrop of red. A small red butterfly hovers over his shoulder, symbolizing the monarch's commitment to environmental conservation efforts, according to the artist.

King Charles himself unveiled the portrait, as he continues to fulfill limited duties as head of state while undergoing cancer treatment. The dominance of the color red in the portrait drew criticism from social media users, with some describing the piece as "hideous" and "satanic". One user even likened it to Charles appearing to be "burning in hell", while another speculated on hidden imagery within the artwork.

A Twitter user expressed shock at the portrait, calling it the "ugliest thing" they had ever seen. Another user analyzed the symbolism in the painting, linking the color red to Satan, the monarch butterfly to mind control, and black eyes to demonic entities.