A new official portrait of the Queen and her husband Prince Philip has been released to celebrate the couple's 70th wedding anniversary.
The portrait was taken a few weeks ago by photographer Matt Holyoak of independent photo agency Camera Press, which distributed Elizabeth and Philip's wedding photos back in 1947 as its first assignment. It shows that couple standing side by side in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle, where they are framed by Thomas Gainsborough's portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte (who were married for 57 years).
According to a statement released by the Palace last night, the image is the first release in a series of portraits to celebrate the couple's milestone platinum anniversary.
The Queen is shown wearing a cream dress by Angela Kelly, her senior dresser and personal assistant; this is also the outfit she wore while celebrating her diamond wedding anniversary at a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey back in 2007. Pinned onto the dress is her 'Scarab' brooch. Cut from ruby, diamond and yellow gold, the Andrew Grima design was given to her by the Duke of Edinburgh as a personal gift in 1966.
Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary. Indeed, her and the Duke's marriage has lasted the longest in the history of our royal family.
The then Princess Elizabeth (aged 21) married Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten (aged 26) at Westminster Abbey on 20th November 1947.
The couple have requested to mark the happy occasion in private, hosting a low-key celebratory dinner tomorrow for close friends and family.
Matt Holyoak, who is best known for photographing celebrities for high-profile magazine features, said: 'I feel very honoured and privileged to have been asked to contribute to this very special occasion.'
'My vision for the image was to capture an intimate and natural portrait of the Queen and Duke to celebrate their landmark anniversary. The Queen and the Duke were very happy and relaxed which made it a pleasure. I feel the images showcase their strength and unity.'
27 Charming Vintage Photos Of The Queen And Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip - Grazia
1 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Waving from Buckingham Palace, July 1947
2 of 50prince philip elizabeth engagement announcement
The couple officially announce their engagement at Buckingham Palace, July 1947
3 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
After the engagement announcement, November 1947
4 of 50prince philip elizabeth engagement announcement
Elizabeth and Philip after announcing their engagement, July 1947
5 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Princess Elizabeth poses with her family and fiancé ahead of her marriage, 1947
6 of 50prince philip elizabeth engagement announcement
Photographed at Buckingham Palace shortly before their wedding, 1947
7 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Arriving at the Royal Variety Performance, November 1947
8 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Arriving at the Armistice Day service, November 1947
9 of 50prince philip elizabeth wedding
The couple were married at Westminster Abbey on 20th November 1947
10 of 50prince philip elizabeth wedding
Posing for official photos at the Palace after their wedding, November 1947
11 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the wedding, November 1947
12 of 50queen prince philip honeymoon
Honeymooning at Broadlands House, home to Philip's Uncle, November 1947
13 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Playing with a corgi while on honeymoon, November 1947
14 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Admiring wedding photos while honeymooning, November 1947
15 of 50queen prince philip honeymoon
Enjoying a walk on their honeymoon at Broadlands House in Hampshire, November 1947
16 of 50queen prince philip honeymoon
Arriving in Malta (where Philip was stationed with the Royal Navy) for the second part of their honeymoon, 1947
17 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Attending a charity ball at the Dorchester Hotel, 1948
18 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
On board the 'Pamir,' March 1948
19 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Prince Philip receives the Freedom of the City of London, 1948
20 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Visiting the Arc de Triomphe, May 1948
21 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Attending the Royal Horse Show at Windsor, May 1949
22 of 50queen 1949 prince philip
Arriving at the wedding of the Earl of Harewood and Marion Stein, 1949
23 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Posing with newborn Charles, July 1949
24 of 50Princess Anne christening
After Princess Anne's christening, 1950
25 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Walking in the grounds of Clarence House, August 1951
26 of 50queen elizabeth prince philip family portrait
A family portrait session with the young Prince Charles and Princess Anne at Clarence House, 1951
27 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
A photoshoot with the family, August 1951
28 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Visiting the Festival of Britain, 1951
29 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Royal tour of Quebec, 1951
30 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Enjoying a barn dance in Ottowa, 1951
31 of 50royal family balmoral
Photographed outside Balmoral, September 1952
32 of 50Queen Elizabeth Prince Philip coronation
A candid shot with Princess Anne and Prince Charles, 1951
33 of 50royal family portrait 1952
Photographed with the children at Balmoral, September 1952
34 of 50Queen Elizabeth Prince Philip coronation
Leaving Westminster Abbey in an ornate carriage following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953
35 of 50Queen Elizabeth Prince Philip coronation
Waving to the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following Elizabeth's coronation, June 1953
36 of 50Queen Elizabeth Prince Philip
Elizabeth poses for official photos with Philip following her coronation
37 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Visiting Northern Ireland on the Coronation Tour, 1953
38 of 50Queen with camera
Photographing the arrival of an escort ship while en route to Fiji during the Coronation Tour, 1953
39 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Visiting Bermuda, November 1953
40 of 50queen philip balmoral
Overseeing the children and two ponies in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955
41 of 50queen philip balmoral
Playing with corgis in the grounds of Balmoral, August 1955
42 of 50prince philip queen nigeria
A trip to Nigeria, 1956
43 of 50queen official portrait 1958
Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958
44 of 50official royal portrait 1958
Posing for photographs at Buckingham Palace, December 1958
45 of 50queen corgis
The Queen and Prince Philip with corgis at Windsor Castle, 1959
46 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth john jackie kennedy
John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960
47 of 50queen elizabeth prince philip kennedys
John and Jackie Kennedy visit Buckingham Palace, 1960
48 of 50queen elizabeth prince philip
Leaving Manchester by train, May 1961
49 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Presenting Bobby Moore with the World Cup trophy, 1966
50 of 50prince philip queen elizabeth
Flying back from Yorkshire, filmed for a BBC and ITV documentary
READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth's Best Coloured Co-ords Of All Time