To mark her 70 years on the throne—a longer reign than any monarch in British history—a new portrait of the queen has been released. In the jubilee portrait, the queen poses in a window seat at Windsor Castle with the iconic Round Tower visible through the window behind her. Her dove blue coat dress is trimmed with pearls and diamante, and she wears one of her classic pearl earrings and necklace sets. The photo was taken last month by Ranald Mackechnie. Reminders of the queen’s predecessors float to the fore in the unassuming portrait, like the blurred statue of King Charles visible in the grounds and the fact that the queen is posing in the Victoria Vestiblue, named for her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. In a statement about this week’s jubilee celebrations the queen said, “I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions. “I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.” Yesterday the queen sent a car to collect her grandson Prince Harry from the airport along with his wife Duchess Meghan and their children Archie (3) and Lilibet (who turns one year old on June 4!) This is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first official visit to the UK since March 2020, and will mark the first time that the queen meets her namesake Lili. It was confirmed today that Meghan and Harry will watch the Trooping the Colour parade but won’t be among members of the royal family who assemble on the balcony of Buckingham Palace afterward. Next up, What Is the Platinum Jubilee? Everything You Need to Know About the Queen’s Jubilee Celebrations
