Monarch of the lens as Royal portrait unveiled

The portrait, commissioned to mark the Queen’s forthcoming Diamond Jubilee, shows the monarch wearing a mint-coloured dress, seated with Prince Philip in the castle’s Green Drawing Room.

It was taken by German photographer Thomas Struth In April and also marks the Duke’s 90th birthday earlier this month.

The picture is to go on display at the Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh today, as part of its touring exhibition The Queen: Art & Image. It is the first double portrait of the couple to be commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery, London, and the first portrait of the Queen since John Wonnacott’s Royal Family group painting in 2000.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery director James Holloway said: “I have no doubt that Thomas Struth’s impressive and tender portrait will be seen as one of the definitive images of the Royal Family.

“I am delighted that the Scottish National Gallery has been given the opportunity to show this stunning work for the very first time.”

Paul Moorhouse, curator of The Queen: Art & Image, and the National Gallery’s curator of 20th century portraits, said: “Thomas Struth’s portrait is a sensitive evocation of individuals within a magnificent setting composed in terms of light, colour, textures and formal arrangements.

“It is also a subtle exploration of human relationships.”