What did the councils do with the portraits of the late queen?

Official portraits of the late Queen Elizabeth II have hung in public buildings for 70 years, but what will happen to them after King Charles III dies? took the throne?

The issue led to a row at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon ​​Borough Council after it was suggested that a portrait of the late Queen could end up in storage to make way for a portrait of the King.

The council’s equalities and diversity officer said the late Queen’s portrait “should not be displayed in an area frequented by staff or the public, including a reception or work area”.

So what did the other councils in Northern Ireland do with their portraits of Elizabeth II?

Authorities across the UK were given the opportunity to do so in June apply for one for free framed portrait of the king to mark the beginning of his reign.

This meant that the councils had to decide what they wanted to do with their portraits of Elizabeth II.

At a committee meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon ​​councils in September, a proposal to hang the king’s portrait was approved.

However, the question of where to place the portrait of the late queen was not so simple.

Ulster Unionist Party councilor Kate Evans said she had “no issues” with the late Queen’s portrait being replaced with that of the King, but she did not believe Elizabeth II’s portrait should be placed in storage.

“She was the longest-serving monarch, and I think we might be able to find a better place to put it than putting it in storage,” she said.

Democratic Unionist Party councilor Mark Baxter agreed he doesn’t want it to go into storage.

“I think it’s important to have the reigning monarch as quickly as possible, but if I support this I don’t want it to be delayed.” [the late Queen’s portrait being displayed elsewhere] even further,” he said.

Councilors should be informed of any progress in finding an equality-compliant location for the Queen’s portrait.

Ards and North Down Council was in a similar position, telling BBC News NI that it had removed all portraits of the late Queen.

“The only request we have is that the portrait is treated with respect and not forgotten,” it said in a statement.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Council placed the King’s portrait outside the Mayor’s Office and the late Queen’s portrait was moved to the Council’s art collection in the Mayor’s Drawing Room.

Belfast City Council displays the King’s portrait in the Mayor’s Drawing Room, while the portrait of Elizabeth II has been moved to the “Civil Dignitaries’ Accommodation Area”.

Derry and Strabane City Council donated the portrait to St. Columbus Cathedral rather than setting it up in a community building. No details were given to the BBC about what happened to the late queen’s portrait.

Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster and Newry, Morne and Down councils said they did not display portraits of members of the royal family in their buildings.

Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid and East Antrim councils did not respond to BBC queries.

UK Government Guidelines is that there is no obligation to remove portraits of Elizabeth II.

It says that portraits and likenesses of past monarchs continue to be exhibited in “some institutions.”

Additional reporting by Local Democracy reporter François Vincent.