Queen unveils portrait marking British Red Cross role

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
49,247
1,779
113
A new portrait to mark the Queen's six decades as patron of the British Red Cross has been unveiled by the monarch.

In the painting, the Queen wears her garter robes as she sits in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

The artwork, which was unveiled at Windsor Castle, is by artist Henry Ward, who was born in Essex but now lives in Canada.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth II yesterday became the world's longest-reigning monarch upon the death of the Thai king.

Queen unveils portrait marking British Red Cross role


BBC News
14 October 2016



A new portrait to mark the Queen's six decades as patron of the British Red Cross has been unveiled by the monarch.

In the painting, the Queen wears her garter robes as she sits in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

The artwork, which was unveiled at Windsor Castle, is by artist Henry Ward, who was born in Essex but now lives in Canada.

The Queen is the longest-serving patron of the charity, which supports people in crisis in the UK and overseas.

She has supported the British Red Cross by visiting projects and offices and attending and hosting events, such as a Buckingham Palace garden party to celebrate 100 years of the organisation.

'An honour'

The new portrait contains imagery which highlights the long-standing relationship between the Royal Family and the Red Cross, whose first royal patron was Queen Victoria.

It includes a bust of Henry Dunant, who founded the organisation, and the Queen is wearing diamond earrings, a bracelet and a tiara which belonged to her great-grandmother Queen Alexandra.

She signed the petition for the granting of the British Red Cross Royal Charter before it was presented to her husband, King Edward VII.

Artist Mr Ward 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."



Queen unveils portrait marking British Red Cross role - BBC News
 

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
49,247
1,779
113
It's not a bad painting.

There have been some worse portraits of her over the years, and some better.

She's also the most photographed person in history.
 

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
49,247
1,779
113
Slightly off-centre too. She should be more to the right, in the centre.

The bust should be bigger.
 

Murphy

Executive Branch Member
Apr 12, 2013
8,181
0
36
Ontario
In the Bible, they say not to worship idols, but I guess the head of the Anglican church is exempt. :lol:

Idol worship. Where's selfsame when you need him? He could explain to BL what they are going to do with the palace once the country officially converts from C of E to Islam. The Muslims will probably burn this painting. :lol:

Mazel Tov!
 

Blackleaf

Hall of Fame Member
Oct 9, 2004
49,247
1,779
113
In the Bible, they say not to worship idols, but I guess the head of the Anglican church is exempt. :lol:

Idol worship. Where's selfsame when you need him? He could explain to BL what they are going to do with the palace once the country officially converts from C of E to Islam. The Muslims will probably burn this painting. :lol:

Mazel Tov!

The same applies to Canada, too. Your Muslim population is growing faster than ours and your population is only half Britain's.

lol
That's some magic mirror on the wall she's got there

You're right. She's got the reflection of a man.