Queen Elizabeth’s 2014 portrait is to be reissued for the 65th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
The 90-year-old monarch – who became the longest reigning British monarch in 2015 – is celebrating her sapphire jubilee on Monday (06.02.17), and a portrait photograph taken three years ago by photographer David Bailey is being reissued to commemorate the record breaking milestone.
The photograph features the Queen wearing a suite of sapphire jewellery which was gifted to her by her late father King George VI as a wedding gift in 1947 when she wed Prince Philip at the age of 21.
According to The Guardian newspaper, the jewellery includes a necklace which dates back to 1850 and features 16 sapphire jewels surrounded by diamonds, as well as a pair of matching sapphire and diamond earrings.
To compliment the original pieces of jewellery, Queen Elizabeth also wears a sapphire and diamond tiara and a bracelet.
Originally, the photograph was commissioned as part of the government’s 2014 ‘Great’ campaign, which aimed to promote the UK overseas.
The 80-year-old photographer said of the Queen at the time of the commission: "I’ve always been a huge fan of the Queen. She has very kind eyes with a mischievous glint. I’ve always liked strong women, and she is a very strong woman."
Meanwhile, it was previously reported that Queen Elizabeth wouldn’t be celebrating the anniversary as it only serves as a "reminder" of her father’s death at the age of 56.
Royal historian Robert Lacey said: "She’s naturally shy and is the opposite of showy. And, of course, the anniversaries of the accession remind her of her father’s premature death.
"There is only so many of these landmark dates that people will want to mark. I’m sure she would rather people were asking why isn’t it being celebrated rather than, ‘Oh no, not another royal anniversary.’ She always plays safe – and that is a good instinct.
"The Queen is always wary of the commercial aspects, and doesn’t want to appear ‘on the make’ – though she doesn’t mind if charities use anniversaries to raise money. She’s got a well-developed sense of not wanting to exploit these royal anniversaries."
Queen Elizabeth 2014 portrait reissued for sapphire jubilee
