A new official portrait of the King – that can be hung in public buildings, schools, courts and police stations – has been unveiled.

The photograph, taken at Windsor Castle last year, shows King Charles wearing a Royal Navy uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet, official medals and decorations.

A copy of the portrait is being offered to public authorities across the UK free-of-charge in a scheme reportedly costing £8 million.

Councils, courts, schools, police stations and fire rescue services can all apply as ‘eligible institutions’ for a copy, while in February this will be extended to town, parish and community councils alongside Ministry of Defence-sponsored cadet forces.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said: “The accession of His Majesty The King marked a new chapter in our national story.

“Displaying this new portrait will serve as a reminder to us all of the example set by our ultimate public servant and I hope as many eligible organisations as possible will wish to continue this proud British tradition and honour our King’s reign.”

Official portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, says the Cabinet Office, are currently on display in many public institutions and offering a new official portrait of the new monarch will enable organisations ‘to carry on the tradition’.

However the scheme, when first unveiled before the King’s coronation, has come under fire from anti-monarchy campaign group Republic which have branded it a ‘shameful waste of money’ at a time when many essential public services are struggling for cash.