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28 October 2014

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New portrait of Queen in Ascot outfit

A new portrait of the Queen has been unveiled showing her dressed in pink and ready for the Ascot Races. What do you think of the painting? Have your say below.

The painting by Jemma Phipps captures the monarch in one of her Ascot outfits, complete with matching hat.

"I was immediately reminded this was no ordinary granny..."

Jemma Phipps on painting the Queen

It was commissioned by the Duke of Devonshire to celebrate both the revamp of the famous racecourse and the Queen's milestone birthday.

Phipps, who has a studio in Fulham, south west London, is the daughter of the equestrian and portrait painter Susan Crawford and at 28 is one of the youngest to paint the Queen in person.

The image depicts a well-looking Queen, clutching white gloves and a programme, with a white handbag over her arm. There is no broad smile as featured in Rolf Harris's portrait of the Queen last year.

Phipps picked the baby pink outfit - her own favourite colour - from a selection of outfits presented by the Queen's dresser.

"It was quite hard to concentrate as I was trying to get my head around the fact that I was chatting to the Queen and she was making me laugh," Phipps recalled of the first sitting in the opulent Music Room of Buckingham Palace.

"I believe I saw a side of our monarch that the public rarely sees. She was quite laid back, yet sharp and a great sense of humour. She also has amazingly good skin for an 80-year-old. I hope I have done her eyes justice, as they are incredibly beautiful still and always lit up."

She recalled how it was difficult to forget the Queen is "no ordinary granny".

"At the end of the first sitting the Queen had to go into the next-door stateroom and be photographed for a coin. I was immediately reminded this was no ordinary granny. She walked back through with a tiara the size of a fender on her head and the biggest grin imaginable. The dark corner of the Music Room was lit up by sparkling diamonds and a whopper of a smile."

Phipps remembered "tripping over various corgis in the endless corridors" during her three visits to the Palace.

The Queen is 80 on Friday April 21.

last updated: 18/04/06

Have Your Say

What do you think of the painting? Have your say here:

Joanne Lyons
She looks lovely Hope i look as good when i'm her age God bless her xx

Yadu Kalia
Love the picture - it would really make my birthday special to spot her at Ascot this WE

kyra ann parker nelson
I like this artist. The first time I saw this portrait of Queen Elizabeth II (for her 80th birthday) I did not even notice the pearls. I find Jemma Phipps work to be a very good likenice, while capturing everyone painting brushstrokes. I would like to see a public available display website of her own. Annie

Hazel Hammond
Far superior to the Official 80th Birthday portrait by Rolf Harris

zulalbani
A great painting and an excelent likeness...

Linda Fenton
Some people have commented on the absence of a radiant smile: remember, though, where this portrait is going to hang. This is not Her Majesty at a Garden Party: she's at Royal Ascot and, presumably, subjecting the runners for the next race to her discerning scrutiny. The smile may come later.

patanne fairfoot
I think it is a great painting and has made me interested enough to find out more about the artist.She has a wonderful talent

Gillian Glover
its a lovely painting of her,just wish she was smiling as it lights up her whole face when she does smile.

Joan from Woodley
Wonderful picture best ever,very lifelike

Jackie Woodcock
I think it's great , an excelent likeness , very dignified .

Lilllian Hetherington
It seems a very pedestrian portrait of the Queen. The glasses detract and the black shadow behind the head looks like storm clouds gathering round! The white purse, no,no.

brian-mortimer
A good likeness, but makes HM look terribly severe which I am sure is not the case. Nice outfit. Prefer Rolf's effort

Shirley-Ann
It's absolutely lovely - almost photorealistic. The colours are flattering, and the Queen looks radiant. I live near Ascot races and I hope to get the chance to see the actual portrait.

Roger - Earley Reading
a truly superb representation of our monarch. The painting displays our queen's elegance and grace in older age. Jemma Phipps should be pleased with her efforts.