The reigning monarch, King Charles, announced the death of the prolific 88‑year‑old artist David Hockney on 11 June 2026. In a heartfelt message to BBC reporters, the King spoke of his sorrow at the loss of a "giant" of the art world and of a "dear friend and inspiration to so many".
King Charles recalled personal encounters with Hockney, highlighting his delight in Professor Hockney’s presence at an Order of Merit lunch in 2022 where the artist’s trademark bright yellow Crocs were spotted. He expressed confidence that the late artist would "tread safely into the hereafter" as the nation mourned his irrepressible charm, talent and ingenuity.
Tributes also poured in from leading figures across the creative spectrum. Dame Tracey Emin called the late artist a "great artist and wonderful man, who changed the perception of Britishness," while art historian Richard Morris praised his "effortless" attempts at serious painting. Mayor Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire noted Hockney as a "finest" from Bradford, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan reflected on how Hockney’s colour palettes influenced his view of natural beauty and conservation.
Media outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian and Reuters shared the news, noting key aspects of Hockney’s career—from his early life painting in Yorkshire to his famed Californian swimming pool series, his exploration of digital media as an iPad artist and major exhibitions worldwide, including a recent solo show at the Fondation Louis Vuitton that captured his love of spring.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the Tate Britain director Alex Farquharson and others expressed deep sadness, highlighting Hockney’s lasting legacy in the art world and beyond. The Tate announced a new major exhibition that will use a seven‑decade timeline to showcase his evolution, and a multimedia installation at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall that will animate his opera set designs.
Hockney’s partner, Jean‑Pierre Gonçalves de Lima, as well as his extended family, including nephews, nieces and great‑nepals, survived him, alongside a huge network of admirers who celebrated his life through school gallery shows, the BBC feature “Pretty daft” and phrase ‘Love Life’ in his signature statement.
