Ards and North Down council found itself in a similar position and told News NI it had taken down any portraits of the late Queen.

“The only request that we have is that the portrait should be treated with respect and not left to be forgotten in storage”, a statement said.

Antrim and Newtownabbey council has put up the portrait of the King outside the mayor’s office and the portrait of the late Queen has been moved into the council art collection in the mayor’s parlour.

Belfast City Council displays the portrait of the King in the mayor’s parlour, while Elizabeth II’s portrait has been moved to the “civic dignitaries accommodation area”.

Derry City and Strabane council gave the portrait to St Columb’s cathedral rather than putting it up in a council building. It did not provide any detail to the about what had been done with the portrait of the late Queen.

Fermanagh and Omagh, Mid Ulster and Newry, Mourne and Down councils said they did not display portraits of members of the royal family in their buildings.

Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid and East Antrim councils did not respond to the ‘s queries.

Guidance from the UK government, external is that there is no obligation to take down portraits of Elizabeth II.

It notes that in “some institutions” portraits and likenesses of previous monarchs remain on display.

Additional reporting by Local Democracy reporter François Vincent.

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