First bronze bust of King Charles unveiled in Ayrshire

Lily Marsh has made the first bronze bust of King Charles since he became king. Marsh, a former prison psychologist, retrained as a stonemason through The Prince's Foundation, now called The King's Foundation. She considered this commission a "dream job" and was thrilled to take it on. The process began with her creating a clay sculpture over two weeks in her studio in Sheffield. After that, the sculpture was transformed into bronze at a foundry in Liverpool. In January 2025, the completed bust was unveiled to King Charles at The King's Foundation headquarters in Dumfries House, Ayrshire. During the unveiling, King Charles showed interest in the crafting process. "It was nerve-wracking, but really exciting," Marsh remarked. She did not want to ask the King his opinion on the bust but noted that The King's Foundation was pleased with the final product. Marsh made a significant change in her career by leaving her stable job as a psychologist to explore a manual craft. She wanted a job that allowed her to work outdoors and connect with heritage crafts. Her training involved traveling to heritage sites across the country. Simon Sadinsky, the executive director at The King's Foundation, expressed pride in Marsh's achievement. He highlighted how her work showcases the talents of students and alumni, as well as the importance of traditional skills in the UK.