What Controversy Arose at Armagh City Council?
The destiny of official paintings of the late Queen Elizabeth II, which have graced public buildings for seventy years, has generated discussion among local governments in Northern Ireland as the reign of King Charles III gets underway. Given that a new king has ascended to the throne, what should happen to these portraits now?
What Decisions Have Other Councils Made?
Public authorities throughout the United Kingdom can apply for a framed picture of the King in June, so councils have to decide the fate of the late Queen’s portrait. Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Council approved King Charles III’s image at a September committee meeting. Still trying to figure out where Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait should be moved.
“I have no issues with the late Queen’s portrait being replaced by that of the King, but I do not think the picture of Elizabeth II should be kept in storage, Ulster Unionist Party councillor Kate Evans said. She was the longest-serving King; I believe we could perhaps find a better location for it than to store it.
Emphasising the need to show the serving King immediately, Democratic Unionist Party councillor Mark Baxter reflected this view. It’s essential to have the serving monarch up as quickly as possible. Still, in supporting this, I wouldn’t want it delaying this [the late Queen’s portrait being displayed elsewhere] any further. Any developments in locating an equality-compliant site for the late Queen’s portrait were scheduled for briefing councillors.
How Have Other Councils Handled This Issue?
Ards and North Down Council said they had deleted all images of the late Queen after confronting a similar problem. The only request that we have is that the portrait should be treated with respect and not left to be forgotten in storage.
While the image of the late Queen has been placed in the council’s art collection in the mayor’s parlour, Antrim and Newtownabbey Council has chosen to exhibit King Charles III’s portrait outside the mayor’s office. Belfast City Council had Elizabeth II’s portrait moved to the “civic dignitaries accommodation area” while the King is shown in the mayor’s parlour.
Derry City and Strabane Council decided against displaying the painting in a council building and instead sent it to St Columb’s Cathedral. The council did not offer specifics on handling the late Queen’s image.
The councils of Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster, Newry, Mourne and Down have opted against showing images of any royal family member in their buildings. Causeway C still needs to be addressed, and Mid and East Antrim authorities have not answered any enquiries.
What Guidance Has the Government Provided?
UK government guidelines state that councils are not obliged to remove images of Queen Elizabeth II. The government observed that in “some institutions,” photographs and likenesses of former kings still hang, implying a range of strategies councils might use in this transition era.
What Is the Conclusion of This Ongoing Discussion?
The choice of how to present the images of the late Queen Elizabeth II is a complex matter reflecting the evolving political and social scene in Northern Ireland. Councils have to strike a balance between reverence of the past and the awareness of the present as they negotiate this conundrum.
