Britain's Prince Charles has posed for a formal, but casual portrait to celebrate his 60th birthday.
The future king, who appears with one arm draped across the back of a 19th century gilt-wood armchair given to him by his grandmother, the late Queen Mother, chose a relaxed image of himself wearing the ceremonial uniform of the Welsh Guards.
A royal aide said: "He particularly liked this photograph so he selected it for the official portrait."
Society photographer Hugo Burnand is "thrilled" his picture was chosen.
Burnand - who also covered Charles' wedding to Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, in 2005 - said: "I like to have an approachable feel with photographs so you are almost talking to that person. My wife Louisa was my assistant on the day, so the pose was a culmination of ideas from the three of us. I am absolutely thrilled that he has chosen it and that he likes it as much as I do."
The photograph was taken at Charles' official residence Clarence House, in London, in February.
In the picture, Charles wears a blue sash from the Most Noble Order of the Garter and six medals - the Queen's Service Order, the Coronation Medal, the Silver Jubilee Medal, the Gold Jubilee Medal, the Canadian Forces Decoration and the New Zealand Commemorative Medal.
Charles also wears three breast stars - the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the Most Ancient and the Most Noble Order of the Thistle and the Most Honorable Order of the Bath Great Master.
Charles, who will celebrate his birthday with a private dinner with Camilla Friday, is said to be relaxed about reaching 60 and doesn't fear ascending to the throne once his mother Queen Elizabeth dies.
A source said: "Charles is incredibly sanguine about his future. He is a happy man, far happier than he has been in years. For most people reaching 60 is a time for reflection and often a time for regret over things not yet achieved. For the prince it is the complete opposite. He feels that people are finally starting to understand him."
 |  |  |  |
