A new portrait of King Charles has been revealed at the Scottish Parliament, and observant fans quickly noticed a poignant detail in the image.

The portrait, officially unveiled by the King’s sister Princess Anne on Friday, shows the monarch dressed in his own tartan and holding a handcrafted walking stick. The photograph was taken in 2024 by Millie Pilkington in the Sunken Garden of Balmoral Castle, the King’s cherished Highland estate.

The unveiling also marked the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, with Holyrood’s Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone joining Princess Anne for the ceremony.

“It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to the Scottish Parliament to unveil this portrait of His Majesty The King,” Johnstone said.

“The portrait will hang in the Parliament’s main hall, greeting the many thousands of visitors who come through our doors every year. It’s a striking image which is a reminder of His Majesty’s love of Scotland and the affectionate connection he has with the country and its people.”