Portrait Craze: Australians Rush for Royal Imagery

Australians can request free portraits of King Charles III under a government policy. While demand spiked after Queen Elizabeth II's death, interest remains for images of King Charles. Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman notes significant interest from constituents, despite some viewing the practice with humor.

Amid a growing ambivalence towards the British monarchy, Australians seem keen to get their hands on free portraits of King Charles III. A policy allows any resident to request a portrait through their federal representative's office. Assistant Minister Patrick Gorman confirmed considerable interest from his constituents following the offer.

This enthusiasm for royal portraits isn't shared uniformly across other Commonwealth countries. While British institutions can apply for them, individuals in New Zealand are restricted to digital downloads, and Canadians must pay postage fees for a printed copy. Australia's unique approach underlines the public's mixed but palpable curiosity.

The demand for royal imagery soared after Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022, and with King Charles's portrait now available, Gorman has distributed 85 copies personally. However, this tradition is met with mixed reception, as some lawmakers find the task an odd governmental duty while acknowledging a genuine interest among many Australians.

(With inputs from agencies.)