In total 74 works of art, from Charles’ personal collection, from 43 artists, depict scenes from recent state visits and other foreign trips dating back 40 years, made when he was the Prince of Wales.
One of those artists, Tom Hallifax, who has bases in both Bridport, and in Belfast, joined Charles in Hong Kong in 1994.
He described the role as “a lovely thing” with time challenges that made it “very challenging as an artist, fascinating as a person.”
The artist said he had “no idea” what he was letting himself in for, adding: “When you haven’t got any idea what you’re meant to be doing, and probably no idea how to do it, even if you were told – it was quite confusing.
“But, you know, there’s some interesting results at the end. I stayed in Hong Kong to paint Chris Patten’s portrait as the last Governor of Hong Kong and so I then stayed there quite a while.
“What it feeds into is great, it is just the actual circumstance of the time are like a rabbit in the headlights.”
Charles began the tradition of personally commissioning and paying for a tour artist in 1985 when John Ward joined an official trip to Italy at Charles’s expense, with the brief to draw or paint whatever inspired him.
A watercolour painted by Charles during that 1985 trip is also on view.
Works by 43 artists who have accompanied Charles on 70 tours visiting 95 countries are on display.
The artists gathered in the palace for a first look at The King’s Tour Artists exhibition before it goes on show as part of a visit to the summer opening of Buckingham Palace, running to September 28.
They described the role as a unique experience which allowed them to travel, observe and paint in a different way to which they normally do.
On Wednesday, Mr Hallifax handed over a small oil on paper portrait of Charles which he managed to finish in 20 minutes during their trip that “was literally the only point where we had a time to sit down and have a brief chat”.
There is an accompanying book, The Art Of Royal Travel: Journeys with The King, featuring recollections from artists and more than 100 illustrations, telling behind-the-scenes stories of the trips.
Exhibition curator Kate Heard previously described the event as “a fascinating group of works (which) tells the story of 40 years of official travel and artistic patronage”.
She added: “The freedom given to each artist to capture a personal impression of the countries visited has led to the formation of a rich and varied collection.
“Encompassing landscapes, figure studies and still life subjects, these works are testament to His Majesty’s deep engagement with and encouragement of artists over the past four decades.”
