THE offer of a portrait of King Charles III being displayed in Prestonpans has been turned down by the town’s community council.

Earlier this year, the Cabinet Office released a new official portrait of the King.

Copies of the portrait, which was taken at Windsor Castle last year by photographer Hugo Burnand, will hang in public buildings throughout the UK. The image, which shows the King wearing a Royal Navy uniform of an Admiral of the Fleet and official medals and decorations, has also been offered to community councils.

At a meeting of Prestonpans Community Council last Tuesday, chair DJ Johnston-Smith said that he had been contacted by the Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian asking if a portrait of the King would be wanted by the group.

When group members were asked their opinions, they unanimously agreed that there was “no room” for the portrait, as the community council does not have a permenant base – it meets in the Town Hall but that is rented by the Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust

Dr Johnston-Smith said on the back of the response: “I’ll write back to the Lord Lieutenant saying we have no room for the portrait.”

However, a portrait of the King will find a home within Haddington Day Centre.

Previously, Haddington and District Community Council met in the Town House, but the building is not currently open to the public and it was felt the day centre, on Neilson Park Road, might be a suitable alternative for the portrait.

Caroline Scott, day centre manager, confirmed discussions had taken place but no date had been set for the portrait’s unveiling. She said: “The age group we have, the Royal Family means a lot to them.”