The commissions reflect Their Majesties’ shared commitment to the arts, and continue a long royal tradition of inviting artists to record major public events through drawing and painting.

Fraser Scarfe, Gideon Summerfield, Phoebe Stannard and Shana Lohrey were positioned along the procession route and at Windsor Castle, each responding to the day in their own style and medium. Artist and Royal Drawing School Trustee Eileen Hogan was appointed to paint The Coronation Service itself from inside Westminster Abbey — the first woman to be given this role.

Completed over several months and presented to The King at Clarence House in September 2024, the artworks are now part of the Royal Collection. A short film of His Majesty viewing the works and speaking with the artists is now available on The Royal Family YouTube channel.

Meet the artists

• Phoebe Stannard, based at Westminster Abbey, produced a series of nine monotype prints on Somerset paper. “I wanted to focus on the parts that go on around the ceremony — the details that make it happen,” she said. Her works include The Spur, Packed Lunch, and Getting ready for the gun salute, all reflecting a thoughtful view of the atmosphere behind the scenes.
  

'At the very front of the procession' by Phoebe Stannard, © His Majesty King Charles III 2025; Photograph: The Royal Drawing School

• Fraser Scarfe, Royal Drawing School alumnus and now Head of Education Delivery, was positioned outside Buckingham Palace. His large-scale painting Saluting the crowds was created on 24 wooden panels in acrylic and oil, capturing the moment Their Majesties appeared on the balcony. “The joy of the people, the mass of flags — it felt like the right focus for my largest piece,” he said. Fraser also created a wider series of works across different media, including digital drawings made on an iPad.
  

'Saluting the crowds' by Fraser Scarfe, © His Majesty King Charles III 2025; Photograph: The Royal Drawing School

• Gideon Summerfield, working from Trafalgar Square, created a triptych titled The Coronation – Back to The Palace, a striking oil and acrylic painting across three canvases. “The golden carriage gave the composition its centre,” he said. “I was really taken by the view — but getting the perspective right was a challenge.” He also produced several preparatory drawings, a number of which appear in the video.
  

'The Coronation - Back to The Palace' by Gideon Summerfield, © His Majesty King Charles III 2025; Photograph: The Royal Drawing School

• Shana Lohrey was invited to Windsor Castle to capture the ambience of The Coronation Concert. Her watercolour painting, measuring 72 x 78.9cm, focuses on the energy and mood of the crowd gathered for the celebrations.

'The Coronation Concert' - Shana Lohrey, © His Majesty King Charles III 2025; Photograph: The Royal Drawing School

• Eileen Hogan, positioned inside Westminster Abbey, completed 17 paintings in oil and wax on paper, including The Coronation Chair, The Homage, and The Queen rid with doves. Reflecting on the role of painting in a televised world, she said: “A painting can isolate and intensify moments in a way cameras don’t — whether that’s something ritualistic, spiritual or just very human.”
  

'Leaders and representatives from different faith communities and The King' - by Eileen Hogan, © His Majesty King Charles III 2025; Photograph: Richard Ivey

These new works are part of a wider celebration of The King’s support for artists. This summer, visitors to Buckingham Palace will be able to view The King’s Tour Artists, an exhibition of over 70 works from His Majesty’s own collection, many on public display for the first time.