King Charles, Queen Camilla mark 40 years of Tour Artists

King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting a reception today at Buckingham Palace to honour 40 years of artists accompanying the Royal Family on official international tours. 

The event celebrates a longstanding royal tradition, first established in 1985, where artists have joined royal tours as official members of the travelling delegation. 

Their Majesties will attend the preview of the King's Tour Artists exhibition, which will open to the public tomorrow as part of the palace's summer season. 

The exhibition, especially curated for this anniversary, highlights four decades of royal tours captured through art rather than traditional photography. 

It showcases the creative legacy of 43 artists who accompanied King Charles on 70 official visits to 95 countries and territories. Among the 74 artworks on display is a watercolour painting created by King Charles himself during the very first artist accompanied tour to Italy in 1985. 

This initiative has provided unique opportunities for both established and up-and-coming artists to create commissioned pieces during focused periods of travel abroad. 

During the reception in the Palace Ballroom, Their Majesties will meet Toby Ward, son of the late John Ward, who was the first artist to accompany the then Prince of Wales on that historic Italy trip. 

The exhibition also includes recent works, such as piece by Fraser Scarfe, who joined the royal couple during their State Visit to Italy in April 2025.