On King Charles’s 70th birthday, Queen Elizabeth described him as ‘in every respect a duchy original’. While in many regards, the reigning monarch has proven his mother right, modernising the Crown and pursuing his own path as ruler, there are some charming ways in which the King truly is following in the footsteps of Her late Majesty. Not least, in his choice of artist for his extra personal Royal Signature.
His Majesty has been presented with a botanical painting by the Royal Horticultural Society to mark his patronage of the beloved institution. A tradition dating back over two centuries, each patron signs their painting, custom-made for them by a highly respected artist, to mark significant occasions in their lives. King Charles was presented with his own Royal Signature at Sandringham on 23 July 2025, after becoming the Society’s 15th Patron in 2024.
The artwork is inspired by the King’s favourite flowers, adorned with the magnolia, acers, geraniums, gladioli, and crocuses that are growing in his new garden at Sandringham. A keen gardener, His Majesty is no stranger to the blending of horticulture and art, often spending his spare time painting landscapes of the royal estates. He will, therefore, have plenty in common with the artist behind his new Royal Signature, Gillian Barlow.