Buckingham Palace has released the Official Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Portraits of King Charles III and Queen Camilla wearing their Commonwealth Insignia, which were taken by Millie Pilkington in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace in June 2024.
Canada
On a ribbon around his neck, King Charles wore the insignia of the Order of Canada, which he received as Prince of Wales from then-Governor General David Johnston in 2017. On the left breast of his jacket, The King is also wearing a bar of medals from Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
Queen Camilla is wearing the Queen Mother’s Maple Leaf Brooch.
Made of platinum and studded with diamonds, it was first presented in 1939 by King George VI as a gift to his wife Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother), on the occasion of her first Royal Tour of Canada. The brooch has since been worn by several female members of the Royal Family during events related to Canada and was a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Australia
In their Australian portrait, King Charles wears the Sovereign Collar of the Order of Australia and the breast badge.
The Order of Australia is set on a blue ribbon with a stripe of gold mimosas. The badge features an emblem with a golden mimosa with the Coat of Arms of Australia in the centre upon a royal blue background and golden mimosa stalks on either side. It is topped by the Crown of St. Edward. The breast badge is the emblem of the Order of Australia.
Upon his accession, King Charles became the Sovereign of the Order of Australia. Prior to 2022, he was a Knight of the Order of Australia.
Queen Camilla, who does not have any Australia honours, wore Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Wattle Brooch.
The late Queen Elizabeth received the Wattle Brooch as a gift from the Government of Australia in 1954 during her Commonwealth Tour. The wattle is the national flower of Australia; the brooch is a platinum-and-diamond piece that was designed by Australian jewellers William Drummond.
New Zealand
In the New Zealand Portrait, King Charles wears the neck ribbon of the Order of New Zealand and the breast badge for the New Zealand Order of Merit.
The Order of New Zealand is worn on a white and ochre ribbon and features the Coat of Arms of New Zealand painted on a gold and coloured enamel. The New Zealand Order of Merit breast badge is a cross painted in gold and white enamel with the Coat of Arms of New Zealand inside green enamel that features the motto of New Zealand: For Merit Tohu Hiranga. At the top of the breast badge is a royal crown.
King Charles wears, in both portraits, his normal row of ribbons and medals. Among them are The King’s Service Medal (which is awarded in New Zealand), the New Zealand Commemorative Medal, and New Zealand Armed Forces Award.
Queen Camilla wears the Order of New Zealand badge on a red ochre ribbon pinned to her chest.
Queen Camilla was named an Additional Member of the Order of New Zealand on 5 June 2023, as part of the King’s Birthday and Coronation Honours List. The Queen received her designation for services to New Zealand.
