Australia has yet to receive an official royal portrait of King Charles III due to “copyright issues”, the secretary to the governor-general has revealed.
Paul Singer has told an estimates hearing that the country will soon receive a formal painting of the king 388 days after his coronation.
“There have been discussions with the palace in very recent times about having a photo taken for that purpose. And I expect that that will be provided imminently,” he told senators.
Mr Singer did not confirm whether the King would be visiting Australia in the coming months, citing his recent cancer diagnosis.
“Given the current climate and the realities around the king’s health, I think it would be unwise for anyone to have expectations until such time as the program is finalised,” he said.
Meanwhile, Australia’s incoming Governor-General Samanth Mostyn will meet the King in London on Wednesday.
“It is a significant opportunity for Ms Mostyn to have an audience with his majesty,” Mr Singer said.
“We know that the King is very interested and very invested in Australian issues and will be very interested to hear directly from Ms Mostyn about her own observations and her own intentions for her time in office as governor-general.”
She is due to take on the role in Canberra on July 1 and arrangements for the transition are under way.
Mr Singer said outgoing Governor-General David Hurley would have an audience with the King in July.