Marking the platinum jubilee, the 70th anniversary of her accession to the British throne, Buckingham Palace has released an official portrait of Queen Elizabeth.
On this occasion, the Queen said: “I hope that the coming days will be an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the past seventy years, while looking forward to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”
The celebrations are considered the first platinum jubilee of a king in British history, and extend for four consecutive days, and are interspersed with parades, military processions and concerts in the royal palaces and in the streets.