King Charles III's new portrait: A majesty or 'Ghostbusters' villain?
The Royal Family is always in the spotlight, but they've been attracting even more attention lately. Initially, the focus was on more sombre topics, like the illnesses of King Charles and Duchess Kate. However, conversations have shifted towards more lighthearted matters, such as the latest portrayal of the British monarch, which has sparked quite a reaction online. Surprisingly, people have noticed a resemblance between the portrait and a particular movie character.
15 May 2024 20:56
The start of 2024 was challenging for Buckingham Palace. King Charles was first diagnosed with cancer, followed by Duchess Kate. Before she could announce her diagnosis, the global media had already speculated wildly about her absence from public view. Amidst all this, the edited family picture of the Duchess first drew laughter from celebrities, who later apologised.
In late March, the Royal Family's patriarch publicly appeared after the Easter service in Windsor. At 75, he surprised everyone with his excellent health, mainly after recent reports had led many to expect the worst. Rumours of an exceptionally aggressive form of pancreatic cancer supposedly afflicting Charles III added to the speculation. Now, there’s a fresh buzz surrounding him.
The New Portrait of King Charles III. The Internet Reacts with Humor
On Tuesday, May 14, Buckingham Palace unveiled an extraordinary portrait of the king. Jonathan Yeo, the artist behind the roughly 9 feet 2 inches by 7 feet 3 inches painting, is internationally renowned for his portraits of celebrities like Kevin Spacey, Dennis Hopper, Cara Delevingne, Prince Philip, and Queen Camilla. His latest work has ignited a spirited discussion.
The portrait draws attention with its form. Depicted in his red Welsh Guards uniform, the monarch features a butterfly perched on his right shoulder. The intense background melds with his figure, highlighting his face above everything else.
"It was a privilege and pleasure to have been commissioned by The Drapers’ Company to paint this portrait of His Majesty The King, the first to be unveiled since his coronation. When I started this project, His Majesty The King was still His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, and much like the butterfly I’ve painted hovering over his shoulder, this portrait has evolved as the subject’s role in our public life has transformed.," Yeo commented.
Despite the artist's intentions, some viewers humorously noted the portrait's striking similarity to the dark character from "Ghostbusters II", Vigo the Carpathian. Vigo seeks to escape his painting and conquer the world by inhabiting a human body. He targets the baby of Dana Barrett, played by Sigourney Weaver, which prompts the Ghostbusters to intervene.
"Ghostbusters II", directed by Ivan Reitman, is available on Viaplay or for additional rental on Canal+ and Apple TV+.
