HIS Majesty’s loyal subjects in one West Somerset village have voted to receive an official portrait of King Charles III despite their parish council rejecting it.

All parish councils have been able to apply for a free portrait to commemorate the accession of King Charles.

But Kilve councillors decided against taking up the offer because they did not have any premises of their own in which to hang a portrait.

The decision infuriated one parishioner who expressed their ‘strong disagreement’ at the annual parish meeting.

Now, Kilve Village Hall committee member Sarah Hayward has carried out an informal poll of villagers asking if they wanted a portrait of the King and, if so, whether it should hang in the village hall or St Mary’s Church.

Ms Hayward said the church option was because the Government offer had been extended to churches, but not village halls.

She said: “I received 29 replies, with 22 opting for having a portrait and seven against.

“The response at eight per cent of 2021 census population was quite good actually, as these things go.

“Though as ever, most, 92 per cent, people have not expressed a preference.”

Ms Hayward said the committee would now discuss the issue of hanging a portrait in the village hall.

The A4 size image of the King in full regalia has been released by Buckingham Palace and the scheme is being funded by the Government.

A spokesperson said: “Hanging a portrait of the reigning monarch in public buildings is a long-standing British tradition.”