King Charles and Queen Camilla of Rome, Italy, were busy putting the finishing touches on an exhibit at Buckingham Palace in April 2025. Shortly after hosting a state banquet for President Emmanuel Macron of France at Windsor Castle, the royal couple welcomed artists who had accompanied them on their foreign tours to showcase their artworks in a unique exhibition at Buckingham Palace. King Charles, known for his longstanding support of the arts, has been inviting artists to join him on tours for the past 40 years.
The exhibition, titled “The King’s Tour Artists,” features a selection of 72 artworks from the monarch’s private collection, including paintings, sketches, and portraits that document his global travels over the years. These works, which range from traditional paintings to modern digital creations, serve as the centerpiece of the summer opening at Buckingham Palace, welcoming visitors from July 10 to September 28.
During a reception held on July 9, King Charles and Queen Camilla celebrated the artists and their contributions to the exhibition. Among the displayed pieces are portraits of the royal couple created by artists who accompanied them on various tours. The event also marked a special moment for the artists, as many of them were present to witness their works being showcased in the palace’s Ballroom.
Curated by Kate Heard, the Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings at the Royal Collection Trust, the exhibition highlights the diverse range of experiences and artistic styles captured by the tour artists during their travels with King Charles. From Argentina to Nepal to Vatican City, these artists have been encouraged to draw inspiration from the places, events, and people they encountered, resulting in a rich and varied collection of artworks that offer a unique perspective on the royal tours.
Overall, the exhibition at Buckingham Palace serves as a tribute to King Charles’ passion for art and his commitment to supporting artists through his tours and acquisitions. It provides a glimpse into the monarch’s global adventures and the creative interpretations of these experiences by talented artists who have had the privilege of accompanying him on his journeys.
In 2007, James Hart Dyke created “King Charles,” which is part of the Dyke/Royal Collection Trust. Luke Allsbrook from North Carolina painted a detailed piece titled “Sunlight at Weber Farmhouse” during a visit to California in 2005, capturing the couple and their companions walking through the fields. Peter Kuhfeld painted two portraits to commemorate the coronation of 2023, which are displayed in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. The Coronation portraits were unveiled in May 2025, with the King and Queen admiring them. Fraser Scarfe used an iPad to create an image of the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna during a tour to Italy. The artwork, part of the exhibition, showcases the use of new technology as a drawing surface. The previous summer opening saw a record-breaking 605,000 visitors at Buckingham Palace. Tickets for the exhibition are available.
