At a special event held at St James’s Palace, King Charles III was celebrated by prominent figures in the arts, including Dame Tracey Emin and Grayson Perry, for his unwavering commitment to drawing and arts education on the 25th anniversary of the Royal Drawing School, which he founded as Prince of Wales.
King Charles III received heartfelt praise from leading figures in the arts world as they gathered to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Royal Drawing School, a unique institution he founded as Prince of Wales. The anniversary event, held at St James’s Palace, brought together distinguished artists, alumni, and creative talents who lauded the King’s enduring commitment to the art of drawing and its vital role in education and culture.
Dame Tracey Emin, a celebrated British artist recently honoured with the title of Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in 2024, spoke warmly of the monarch’s genuine passion for art. Having known the King for several years, Emin remarked on the rarity of having a sovereign so deeply engaged in the arts, saying, “Imagine how lucky we are to have a king who loves art and knows what he is talking about.” She pointed out the significance of drawing in turbulent times, noting that those “drawing or painting or making art, they are not going to war.” Her words resonated with the gathering, which also featured eclectic artist Grayson Perry, who described the King as “very special,” highlighting the monarch’s approachable and sincere advocacy for creativity.
The event showcased “The Power of Drawing: Marking 25 Years of the Royal Drawing School,” a free exhibition to be held from July 1 to 26, 2025, at the school’s Shoreditch location in East London. The exhibition presents an impressive collection of works by 50 renowned artists and alumni, including world-famous figures such as David Hockney and Emin herself. Central to the exhibition is one of King Charles III’s own original drawings—a preliminary sketch of his Highgrove estate from 2000. This inclusion poignantly underscores the King’s personal dedication to the craft and his role as the founding patron of the institution.
The Royal Drawing School, established with the guidance of artist Catherine Goodman, has forged a significant path in art education by emphasizing high-quality observational drawing tuition. As an independent, not-for-profit organisation, it remains committed to accessibility and artistic excellence, offering over 350 courses annually for both adults and children, with a renowned postgraduate-level programme and a broad range of scholarships. Despite not receiving official funding, the school’s success owes much to the King’s vision and steadfast support, which Goodman praised, highlighting his willingness to “swim against the tide” to create a home for drawing and nurture emerging talent.
During the evening, King Charles III offered an unusually emotional tribute to Goodman, recounting how their shared history began when Goodman and Lady Sarah Chatto, his artist cousin, were students at Camberwell School of Art. He reflected on the importance of life drawing for architects and artists alike and expressed pride in how the school’s students have developed over the years. His speech was characterised by a deep personal investment in the cultural future, emphasising that investing in talent across disciplines had “been rewarded a thousand fold.”
The celebration also featured a live drawing session with some of the school’s youngest talents and a performance by singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, whose own artwork is part of the exhibition. Wainwright spoke about drawing as a crucial mental refuge amid modern distractions, further reinforcing the event’s theme of drawing as a powerful, lifesaving discipline.
This milestone event not only honoured the Royal Drawing School’s past achievements but also laid a vibrant foundation for its future, celebrating drawing’s enduring role at the heart of artistic practice and cultural growth under the patronage of King Charles III.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14845397/Dame-Tracey-Emin-praises-King-Charles-commitment-arts-join-prominent-figures-industry-celebrate-25-years-Royal-Drawing-School.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.royaldrawingschool.org/lectures-events/the-power-of-drawing-marking-25-years-of-the-royal-drawing-school/ – The Royal Drawing School is hosting a free exhibition titled ‘The Power of Drawing: Marking 25 Years of the Royal Drawing School’ from 1 to 26 July 2025. The exhibition will showcase works by renowned artists, including Tracey Emin and David Hockney, and will feature an original drawing by King Charles III, the school’s founding patron. The exhibition will be held at the Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch, East London, with free admission and booking required.
- https://www.royaldrawingschool.org/exhibitions/the-power-of-drawing-marking-25-years-of-the-royal-drawing-school/ – The Royal Drawing School is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a free exhibition titled ‘The Power of Drawing: Marking 25 Years of the Royal Drawing School’ from 1 to 26 July 2025. The exhibition will highlight the central role of drawing across creative disciplines and will showcase works by renowned artists, including Tracey Emin and David Hockney. King Charles III, the school’s founding patron, will also contribute an original drawing to the exhibition.
- https://www.artrabbit.com/events/the-power-of-drawing-marking-25-years-of-the-royal-drawing-school – The Royal Drawing School is hosting a free exhibition titled ‘The Power of Drawing: Marking 25 Years of the Royal Drawing School’ from 1 to 26 July 2025. The exhibition will showcase works by renowned artists, including Tracey Emin and David Hockney, and will feature an original drawing by King Charles III, the school’s founding patron. The exhibition will be held at the Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch, East London, with free admission and booking required.
- https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tracey-emin-dame-2501557 – Tracey Emin, a prominent British artist, was awarded a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2024. Emin is known for her provocative and controversial works, including ‘Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995’ and ‘My Bed’. She has been a significant figure in the art world since the 1980s and continues to create works that challenge and provide solace to her viewers.
- https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/tracey-emin-ra/ – Tracey Emin is a British artist who emerged in the 1980s during the ‘Young British Artists’ movement. She is noted for her provocative and controversial pieces, including ‘Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995’ and ‘My Bed’. Emin has been a significant figure in the art world and was made a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2024.
- https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/11/king-charles-iii-gets-busy-with-his-pencil – King Charles III is set to unveil one of his own drawings in a special exhibition marking the 25th anniversary of the Royal Drawing School. The exhibition, titled ‘The Power of Drawing: Marking 25 Years of the Royal Drawing School’, will take place from 1 to 26 July 2025 at the Royal Drawing School in Shoreditch, East London. The exhibition will showcase works by renowned artists, including Tracey Emin and David Hockney, and will feature an original drawing by King Charles III, the school’s founding patron.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no evidence of prior publication. The event is scheduled for July 1–26, 2025, and the article was published on June 25, 2025, indicating timely reporting. The inclusion of updated data, such as the upcoming exhibition and recent honours awarded to Tracey Emin, suggests a high freshness score. However, the article’s reliance on a press release from the Royal Drawing School may indicate a lack of independent verification. Additionally, the Daily Mail’s reputation for sensationalism raises concerns about the narrative’s credibility. ([royaldrawingschool.org](https://www.royaldrawingschool.org/lectures-events/the-power-of-drawing-marking-25-years-of-the-royal-drawing-school/?utm_source=openai)) The absence of coverage from other reputable outlets further diminishes the freshness score. The article includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([news.artnet.com](https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tracey-emin-dame-2501557?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The direct quote from Tracey Emin, “Imagine how lucky we are to have a king who loves art and knows what he is talking about,” appears to be original, with no prior matches found online. This suggests potentially exclusive content. However, the lack of corroboration from other reputable sources raises questions about the authenticity of the quote. The wording of the quote varies slightly from previous reports, indicating possible paraphrasing or selective reporting. ([news.artnet.com](https://news.artnet.com/art-world/tracey-emin-dame-2501557?utm_source=openai))
Source reliability
Score:
4
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a publication known for sensationalism and a history of publishing unverified or misleading information. This raises significant concerns about the reliability of the report. The article’s reliance on a press release from the Royal Drawing School may indicate a lack of independent verification. ([royaldrawingschool.org](https://www.royaldrawingschool.org/lectures-events/the-power-of-drawing-marking-25-years-of-the-royal-drawing-school/?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
6
Notes:
The claims about the Royal Drawing School’s 25th anniversary exhibition and King Charles III’s involvement are plausible and align with known facts. However, the lack of coverage from other reputable outlets diminishes the plausibility score. The article’s reliance on a press release from the Royal Drawing School may indicate a lack of independent verification. ([royaldrawingschool.org](https://www.royaldrawingschool.org/lectures-events/the-power-of-drawing-marking-25-years-of-the-royal-drawing-school/?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative fails due to concerns about freshness, originality, and source reliability. The article’s reliance on a press release from the Royal Drawing School and the Daily Mail’s history of sensationalism raise significant doubts about the report’s credibility. The lack of coverage from other reputable outlets further diminishes the narrative’s trustworthiness.
