King Charles shared his sadness following the death of his "dear friend" David Hockney, whose passing was announced on 12 June by his publicist.
In a statement, the monarch said: "My wife and I were greatly saddened to learn of the death of David Hockney, a giant of the world of art and painting, a Yorkshireman through and through, and a dear friend and inspiration to so many.
He also praised the late artist's unique sense of style, adding: "David was one of life's true originals; one who wore his genius as lightly as those beloved yellow Crocs of his that helped brighten Palace occasions.
"I trust they will see him tread safely into the hereafter as we mourn a man whose irrepressible charm, talent and constant innovation will be most sorely missed, but whose dazzling creativity lives on in galleries and museums around the world."
The King's statement came less than 24 hours before the monarch is due to mark Trooping the Colour alongside other senior members of the royal family. The ceremony marks the monarch's official birthday.
The reference to David's choice of footwear comes from when the monarch hosted the artist, alongside other members of the Order of the Merit, back in 2022.
© Getty ImagesDavid, who was in a wheelchair, wore a bright pair of yellow crocs, which Charles noted when they crossed paths at the event. When His Majesty met David, who insisted on standing for the King, he said: "Those yellow galoshes…beautifully chosen."
David Hockney's life
Born in 1937, David became an artist and is considered to be one of the most important contributors to the pop art genre, which took off in the 1960s. The star, who died at the age of 88, is also regarded as one of the most influential artists of both the 20th and 21st centuries.
He came from humble beginnings and started his art career by pushing a pram containing his equipment around Bradford, his home city.
© Conde Nast via Getty ImagesAmong his paintings are Portrait of an Artist (Pool with Two Figures), which was painted in 1972. In 2018, the artwork was sold at Christie's for £70 million, and at the time it was the most expensive piece of art ever sold at auction. The record was broken a year later when Jeff Koons' painting, Rabbit, was sold for over £71 million.
Other famous artworks include Mr and Mrs Clark and Percy, Peter Getting Out of Nick's Pool, The Blue Guitar and Garrowby Hill.
Announcing his death on Friday, David's representatives said: "The celebrated British artist David Hockney, one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries, passed away peacefully at home on 11 June 2026, one month short of his 89th birthday."
Among those paying tribute to David were Dame Tracey Emin, who said: "A great artist and a wonderful man, who with the power of art changed the perception of Britishness. A proud chain-smoking homosexual, who flew the flag higher than any other British artist."
© Getty ImagesSadiq Khan called the artist "a true icon and revolutionary of British art who never stopped reinventing his work," adding that his "vivid paintings of our changing seasons helped me see the beauty and fragility of our natural world – and why it must be protected".
