Three brand new photographs of The Queen and Royal Family have been released today to mark the occasion of The Queen’s 90th birthday.
The photographs were all taken by American photographer Annie Leibovitz, who has photographed Her Majesty before – most notably back in 2007 ahead of her visit to the United States (documented on the BBC show Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work).
One of the three photographs shows the 90-year-old monarch posing for the camera with two of her grandchildren and her five great grandchildren. Her Majesty is seated in the photo with Princess Charlotte sat on her lap surrounded by the other children. They include James, Viscount Severn; Lady Louise Windsor; Mia Tindall (holding Her Majesty’s handbag), Savannah and Isla Phillips and Prince George.
Another of the photos shows The Queen sat with her daughter, Princess Anne, on a sofa as they both smile to the camera. The Princess Royal embraces her mother, as she places her arm around her back.
The photograph was taken in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle while the family portrait with The Queen was taken in the Green Drawing Room of the Castle, one of the semi-state apartments in the millennium-old Castle.
The third photograph shows The Queen posing for a portrait on a walk round the private grounds of Windsor Castle on steps at the rear of the East Terrace and East Garden, accompanied by her two corgis Willow and Holly and two dorgis Candy and Vulcan.
Just yesterday Royal Mail released a brand new set of photos with one showing four generations of the Royal Family sat together; featuring Her Majesty, The Prince of Wales, The Duke of Cambridge and Prince George.
The Royal Mail photos will all be used on stamps to commemorate Her Majesty’s birthday. It is the first time Prince George has appeared on a stamp.
Her Majesty’s 90th birthday will be marked with a special walkabout outside Windsor Castle later today along with the Duke of Edinburgh where the royal couple will first unveil a plaque marking The Queen’s Walkway at the foot of Castle Hill.
Later this afternoon, The Queen will be accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to light a beacon to celebrate Her Majesty’s birthday – the start of a series of over 1,000 beacons set to be released across the country and around the world to mark the occasion.
Her Majesty’s 90th birthday is the latest landmark of longevity achieved by The Queen, having become the oldest reigning Monarch in British history in 2007, overtaking her great great grandmother Queen Victoria. Last September Her Majesty broke another record, becoming Britain’s longest-reigning Monarch – a record also formerly held by her great great grandmother.
Photo Credits: © Annie Leibovitz / PA Wire
Shouldn’t that be two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren?
Savannah and Isla Phillips are the daughters of Peter Phillips and Mia Tindall is the daughter of Zara Phillips Tindallr. Peter and Zara are the children of Princess Anne which makes HM their grandmother.Prince George and Princess Charlotte are, of course, are HM grandson Prince William’s children.
Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn are the two grandchildren as they are the children of Prince Edward.
It does say 2 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren!
God save the Queen!
Her Most Excellent Majesty !!!!!
Beautiful photos, especially with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Queen Elizabeth is an amazing woman – charm, class, eloquence, intelligence! I have the Madam Alexandra doll made when she was crowned Queen!!! Happy Birthday
All the best Her Majesty !!!
I’m an American, but from Welsh decent…. she is my Queen too…. God save the Queen.
I always find it funny Americans know where they descend from. A cute American quirk, never quite belonging.
Ms. Boden, your condescension is breathtaking.
Sometimes people deserve it. But its very interesting in the context of Americanism. In a land where very few can claim to be natives there is the need to have roots and belong. Caring what ship your ancestors came in on or caring how many generations you are away from a shoemaker in Kent is a funny thing. In the end it doesn’t mean much.
Ms Leibovitz did not take these photographs. The photographer is Ranald Mackechnie.
God Save the Queen
By far this picture of The Queen with two of her Grandchildren and her five Great Grandchildren is one of the most comfortable homey picture to be taken in years. So very Beautiful and Lovely.
Her Majesty Queen!,i find you tobe highly gracious an wordy and bless with your beautiful charm smile;Peace be with your house.
She is absolutely wonderful!
I think Charlotte looks so much like the Queen,
Beautiful pic with her adorable grandchildren and great grandchildren.
God save the Queen!