Emmanuel Macron offers a Sennelier watercolor set to Charles III
A tribute to the King's artistic passion A highly symbolic gift
On the occasion of his State visit to the United Kingdom from July 8 to 10, 2025, Emmanuel Macron chose to offer Charles III a carefully selected present: a watercolor set from the Sennelier brand, accompanied by an engraved plaque dedicated to the sovereign. This gesture is far from trivial. Founded in 1887 in Paris, Sennelier is renowned worldwide for the quality of its pigments and the delicacy of its colors, appreciated by the greatest French and international artists. This personalized set embodies French artisanal know-how and echoes one of the King’s most well-known passions: watercolor painting.
Why watercolor? Charles III’s passion
Charles III is an accomplished watercolorist. For over fifty years, he has spent his free time painting landscapes, monuments, and scenes from daily life—mainly in Great Britain, but also during his travels abroad. His interest in watercolor began in the 1970s, encouraged by his art teacher at Gordonstoun School, Robert Waddell. He later honed his technique with renowned painters such as Edward Seago, Derek Hill, John Ward, and Bryan Organ.
The King describes painting as a "relaxing activity that transports [him] to another dimension" and says that his watercolors are above all a sort of personal memory album. He does not consider himself a great artist, but rather an "enthusiastic amateur" whose works reflect his view of the world and his attachment to nature and British heritage.
Public and artistic recognition
Charles III's watercolors have been exhibited numerous times, notably at Sandringham House, Hampton Court Palace, the National Gallery of Australia, and the Garrison Chapel in London. His works feature Scottish and Welsh landscapes, royal residences, Provence, and Tanzania. Some of his watercolors have been sold as prints, generating several million pounds in revenue donated to charitable causes.
Sennelier: French excellence in the service of art
The choice of a Sennelier set is no coincidence. This house, founded in the 19th century, is a benchmark for both professional and amateur artists. Offering such a set to Charles III not only honors his passion but also builds a bridge between two great artistic traditions: French and British.
