A new portrait of King Charles has been revealed at the Scottish Parliament, and observant fans quickly noticed a poignant detail in the image.
The portrait, officially unveiled by the King’s sister Princess Anne on Friday, shows the monarch dressed in his own tartan and holding a handcrafted walking stick. The photograph was taken in 2024 by Millie Pilkington in the Sunken Garden of Balmoral Castle, the King’s cherished Highland estate.
The unveiling also marked the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, with Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone joining Princess Anne for the ceremony.
“It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Scottish Parliament to unveil this portrait of His Majesty The King,” Johnstone said.
“The portrait will hang in the Parliament’s main hall, greeting the many thousands of visitors who come through our doors every year. It’s a striking image which is a reminder of His Majesty’s love of Scotland and the affectionate connection he has with the country and its people.”
A Subtle but Emotional Change
At first glance, King Charles seems to be wearing his familiar “Prince of Wales” gold signet ring on his little finger. This ring, bearing the official emblem of the Prince of Wales, is believed to have been passed down to Charles from his uncle, the Duke of Windsor.
The Duke of Windsor, formerly King Edward VIII, held the title of Prince of Wales before taking the throne in 1936 and abdicating the same year.
But on closer inspection, fans have speculated that the monarch may in fact be wearing a different signet ring, one with an entirely new coat of arms.
A Ring with Deeper Meaning
According to royal jewellery enthusiasts on Reddit, the ring is likely an heirloom once worn by Charles’ late father, Prince Philip.
Prince Philip, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 99, was born into both the Greek and Danish royal families as the grandson of King George I of Greece. In tribute to his heritage, he wore a signet ring engraved with the Greek monarchy’s coat of arms.
Now, many believe this sentimental piece has been handed down to King Charles, replacing the ring that long symbolized his role as Prince of Wales.