First Official King Charles Portrait Dubbed ‘Tampon’—Here’s What It Really Means
Images 306353953 © Heide Pinkall | Dreamstime.com and The Royal Family
In a move that brushes up the royal image quite literally, King Charles III’s first official portrait since his coronation has been unveiled. Standing tall at eight feet, this striking canvas by renowned artist Jonathan Yeo showcases the monarch in the bold red uniform of the Welsh Guards, complete with a ceremonial sword and a butterfly resting on his shoulder—a nod to his environmental advocacy. However, instead of just admiration, the portrait has sparked a wave of snarky, red-hot memes across the internet.
The portrait’s bold use of vibrant red immediately catches the eye, not only reflecting the traditional red of the Welsh Guards but also symbolizing the King’s significant role in the nation. Commissioned to celebrate the King’s 50 years with The Drapers’ Company, the painting was crafted to complement the architecture of Drapers’ Hall, where it will be displayed.
Yeo steeped modernity into tradition with the work, choosing to merge the uniform’s red with the background so the observer’s focus remains on the King’s face and the gravity of his role. This technique breaks from conventional royal portraits—the painter’s intention with was to strip away visual distractions, fostering a direct connection with the “human being underneath.” This approach aligns with the modern monarchy’s efforts to present a more personal and relatable image, moving away from the formal and distant depictions of the past.
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The delicate monarch butterfly perched on King Charles’ shoulder is particularly poignant. It symbolizes transformation and continuity, mirroring Charles’ own journey from Prince of Wales to sovereign. The butterfly also underscores his long-standing commitment to environmental causes, a theme that has been central to his public endeavors.
“I do my best to capture the life experiences and humanity etched into any individual sitter’s face, and I hope that is what I have achieved in this portrait,” explained Yeo.
No stranger to royal portraiture, Yeo previously painted Camilla, the former Duchess of Cornwall, in 2014, and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, in 2008.
Despite the serious and symbolic intentions behind the portrait, it has inspired a slew of internet memes.
Camilla: "Yep, you got him..."
— Gillian Roth (@GilliRoth) May 14, 2024
Just an after thought...
Didn't he once tell Camilla in a phone call that he wished he was her tampon? ...
OHHHHHHH okay, that's sick. pic.twitter.com/IaMTauOQec
Some users humorously likened the King’s pose to Han Solo frozen in carbonite from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. Others poked fun at the intense color scheme, joking about the King emerging from the fires of hell or referencing the infamous ‘Tampongate’ incident.
King Charles new portrait seems to have depicted him burning in hell, or it seems like it anyway. pic.twitter.com/skZwQguC6U
— BladeoftheSun (@BladeoftheS) May 14, 2024
I'm wondering, why is #HanSolo trending in 🇬🇧UK? I see it's the 👑 revealing a portrait looking like.. 'Han frozen in carbonite'
— Nix 🤓 (@thisisnix) May 14, 2024
—but it look more like 👑 Charles frozen in.. strawberry jam?! ðŸ“🤷ðŸ¾â™€ï¸
Welp, I'll always post anything to #MakeSolo2Happen 😄🙌
pic.twitter.com/gLG5COabGa
“This looks like a prop from Haunted Mansion,” another person remarked (via Diet Prada). “Did Just Stop Oil get to it already?” teased one commenter.
All told, the unveiling of King Charles’ portrait was a significant moment for both the artist and the King, who expressed approval of the vibrant color palette and overall representation. Queen Camilla also praised Yeo’s success in capturing the King's likeness.
[via BBC, The Express, Daily Mail, Diet Prada, images via various sources]
