Their Majesties will view the King’s Tour Artists exhibition, which opens to the public tomorrow as part of the palace’s summer opening.

The specially curated display commemorates this 40-year artistic initiative that has documented royal visits through creative works rather than just photographs.

The exhibition showcases the breadth of this tradition, featuring artwork from 43 artists who have accompanied the King on 70 official visits spanning 95 countries and regions.

Among the 74 works on display is a watercolour painted by the King himself during the very first artist-accompanied tour to Italy in 1985.

The King has personally selected and funded each artist over the past four decades, initially as the Prince of Wales.

Following each tour, His Majesty has acquired at least one work for his private collection, supporting these travelling artists through direct patronage.

The initiative has offered both established and emerging artists opportunities to undertake unique commissions during concentrated periods of work abroad.

This longstanding patronage reflects the King’s commitment to supporting the arts whilst creating an alternative visual record of royal visits.

Upon arriving at the Palace Ballroom, their Majesties will meet Toby Ward, son of John Ward who became the first artist to join the then Prince of Wales on that inaugural 1985 Italy visit.

Toby Ward, also an artist, will present a specially commissioned endpaper he created for the accompanying anniversary book “The Art of Royal Travel: Journeys with the King”.

The exhibition features several notable works, including a piece by Fraser Scarfe who joined their Majesties’ State Visit to Italy in April 2025.

Scarfe became the first tour artist to create digital artwork using an iPad, marking a technological evolution in the tradition.

Around 35 tour artists will discuss their work with the King and Queen during today’s reception.

Among them is Warwick Fuller, who has served as a tour artist four times including the recent Australia and Samoa State Visit in 2024.

Other artists attending include Phillip Butah, winner of the Prince of Wales’s Young Artists’ Award who documented the 2023 Kenya State Visit, and Colin Watson from Belfast who covered the 2008 Brunei and Indonesia tour.

Peter Kuhfeld, who travelled to Japan for Emperor Akihito’s enthronement in 1990 and recently painted the King’s Coronation State Portrait, will also be present.

The exhibition forms part of this year’s summer opening at Buckingham Palace, which follows a record-breaking 2024 when 605,190 paid visitors attended – the highest number in the history of summer openings.

Many of the 74 works have never been publicly displayed before, offering visitors unprecedented access to the King’s personal collection.

Visitors will also see the recently unveiled Coronation State Portraits of their Majesties in the Throne Room.

Peter Kuhfeld painted the King’s portrait whilst Paul S. Benney created the Queen’s, both now newly installed for public viewing.

The Royal Collection Trust, which manages the summer opening, uses ticket income to care for and conserve the Royal Collection.

The King’s Tour Artists exhibition will remain on the public visitor route throughout the summer season, allowing guests to experience this unique artistic documentation of four decades of royal diplomacy.