The Queen today unveiled a new portrait of herself to mark six decades as patron of the British Red Cross.
The painting by Henry Ward depicts the monarch in flowing garter robes at Windsor Castle.
She is the longest-serving patron of the charity, and the new portrait’s imagery highlights the ties between the Royal Family and the Red Cross.
It includes a bust of Henry Dunant, who founded the charity, and the jewels of Queen Alexandra, who signed the petition for the granting of the British Red Cross Royal Charter before it was presented to her husband Edward VII.
Artist Mr Ward, who was born in Essex and now lives in Canada, was chosen by the Red Cross because of his support of the charity.
He said: "As a long-standing supporter of the British Red Cross, it has been an honour to paint the Queen to celebrate six decades of her patronage.
"To portray Her Majesty as monarch and as patron of the Red Cross I have included imagery that relates to the history of the relationship.
"I have also been influenced by previous royal portraitists such as Anthony van Dyck and Sir Joshua Reynolds."
