The British government has rejected a request by Ards and North Down Borough Council for a second free portrait of King Charles.
All councils in the UK were offered a free portrait of the British monarch after he ascended the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth in September 2022.
Ards and North Down Borough Council received its portrait last month and it is to be displayed at Bangor Castle, where the council holds its monthly meeting.
However, its five monthly committee meetings are held at the council’s offices at Church Street in Newtownards, and several councillors had requested a second portrait to hang in that building.
The council wrote to the UK Cabinet Office, and a council report states the ministerial department “responded to say that they were only able to provide one free portrait per authority and were not permitted to sell the portraits”.
It added: “A portrait will be available in due course from commercial outlets but as yet no details are available.”
