King Charles III will open a unique exhibition at Buckingham Palace from July 10 to September 28, showcasing 70 artworks by 42 artists who accompanied him on overseas royal tours. The tradition began in 1985 when the then Prince of Wales invited British artist John Ward to document a visit to Italy, and has continued unbroken ever since. Featured artists include Fraser Scarfe, who captured Charles's recent Rome visit on an iPad, Richard Foster, who painted the King and Queen Camilla in the Galápagos in 2009, and Susannah Fiennes, who documented the 1997 Hong Kong handover. The exhibition was conceived by the Earl of Rosslyn, who also edited the companion book 'The Art of Royal Travel: Journeys with The King'.
This exhibition matters because it highlights King Charles's long-standing personal commitment to artistic patronage, a tradition he initiated as Prince of Wales and has sustained for four decades. By inviting artists to travel with him and giving them creative freedom, he has built a unique collection that blends royal diplomacy with contemporary British art. The show offers the public an intimate glimpse into the King's travels and his role as a passionate advocate for cultural life, reinforcing the monarchy's connection to the arts at a time when royal patronage remains a significant force in the British art world.