A new royal portrait of King Charles has been unveiled, featuring an unusual combination of coffee stains and reclaimed timber sourced from across the capital.
The artwork, created by artist Michael Shellis, incorporates salvaged materials gathered from various London locations, including discarded wood retrieved from a skip.
It was shown to the King last month and has since been displayed privately at Buckingham Palace.
He is said to have “loved” the piece, taking a particular interest in both the style and the use of sustainable materials.
King Charles ‘loves’ sustainable portrait created from coffee waste and discarded wood
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MICHAEL SHELLIS
The unconventional piece represents a departure from traditional royal portraiture, utilising sustainable materials collected from notable sites such as St Paul’s Cathedral and the Royal Parks.
The inclusion of coffee stains adds an unexpected element to the composition, marking a distinctive approach to depicting the monarch through environmentally conscious artistic methods.
The artist embarked on an eco-friendly collection journey throughout London, utilising a Lime bike to traverse the city whilst gathering his materials.
Mr Shellis visited significant landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral and various Royal Parks, during his sustainable sourcing expedition.
His unconventional approach to material procurement extended to salvaging discarded timber from skips, demonstrating a commitment to repurposing waste materials for artistic purposes.
This method of cycling between locations to collect resources reflects both environmental consciousness and practical urban mobility.
The portrait emerged from these gathered elements, transforming found objects and reclaimed materials into a contemporary representation of the monarch.
The royal portrait was commissioned in March as an element of a comprehensive cultural and sustainability programme.
Mr Shellis drew inspiration from the King’s 2010 book, Harmony: A New Way of Looking At Our World, which sets out his “deeply personal” belief that the human and natural worlds are inseparable. The book calls for a “revolution” in how humanity approaches and understands nature.
The finished piece has been described as “a profound tribute to His Majesty’s lifelong dedication to restoring balance between humanity and the natural world.”
The portrait was commissioned by sustainability campaigner Taz Khan, founder of London’s Community Kitchen (LCK) – one of the UK’s largest projects tackling food waste and hunger – and the Urban Farmer Project, which turns surplus food into thousands of meals. He was awarded an MBE in 2022.
The King and Queen visited the LCK in Harrow, northwest London, in December 2022, and a few weeks later, the King invited Mr Khan to spend time with him at Dumfries House, the headquarters of the King’s Foundation.
Mr Khan asked Mr Shellis to create the portrait with a clear brief to use only waste materials and symbolic natural resources.
Flower petals gathered from St James’s Park were dyed with coffee grounds to show the value that can be found in waste. Once the portrait was complete, Mr Khan approached the staff at Highgrove for help with a frame.
He collected ash timber from the estate, where Lord Snowdon runs furniture-making courses, and the frame was crafted by local makers.
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King Charles reportedly ‘loved’ the portrait
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GETTY
When the work was finished, Mr Khan sent the King a video of the portrait. “I was holding my breath a bit,” he admitted. “But he absolutely loved it. He asked if I would bring it over to him.”
It was presented to the monarch at Buckingham Palace in October. He has since agreed to loan it for display at Mansion House, the official residence and office of the Lord Mayor of London.
The portrait will go on show at the “Beyond the Frame” event at Mansion House on Friday, organised by Treloar’s, a charity for disabled children and young people. The display will feature a light and sound installation.
The artwork will sit at the centre of an exploration of how creativity, heritage and environmental responsibility connect.
Dame Susan Langley, Lady Mayor of the City of London, said: “It’s a privilege to host Mansion House’s very first immersive light show, celebrating creativity and community in such a unique way. I encourage everyone to come along for this extraordinary evening and support Treloar’s incredible work empowering young people.”