National Portrait Gallery marks the King's coronation with new book

This is followed by a timeline of key events from King Charles’ life, highlighting his most important portraits from the gallery’s 150-strong collection – from portraits with his mother to works depicting Charles’ sons and wider family. 

The publication presents family photographs alongside formal portraits and features works by key artists who have depicted the King from 1948 to the present. These include Nadav Kander, Cecil Beaton, Marcus Adams, Lisa Sheridan, Lord Snowdon, Joan Williams, Patrick Lichfield, Norman Parkinson, Bern Schwartz, Carole Cutner and Bryan Organ.

Smith said: “Charles stands out in the history of the British monarchy for being an activist royal, and the portraits that chart the course of his life testify to the many interests he has developed alongside his official duties.”