The Queen at 90
To mark her 90th birthday today, the Queen has released an official stylised portrait of herself pictured with the littlest Royals. The snap, taken by US photographer Annie Leibovitz, shows her Royal Highness surrounded by her two youngest grandchildren and her five great-grandchildren.
With 11-month-old Princess Charlotte perched on her lap, the Queen is flanked by James, Viscount Severn, eight; Lady Louise, 12, the daughter of the Earl and Countess of Wessex; Zara Phillips’ two-year-old daughter Mia, who is seen clutching her great-grandmother’s handbag; Peter Phillips’ daughters Savannah, five, and Isla, three, and two-year-old Prince George.
So what did the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge choose to dress their little ones in for the occasion? Well, Charlotte’s cute floral-print dress comes from Spanish designer M&H and costs the equivalent of £23.50. The small-town label, which specialises in handmade baby and children’s clothes, also made the pink floral dress Charlotte wore for her very first solo photo shoot back in December. It’s been thought that both outfits were purchased by Charlotte’s Spanish nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, in north-western Spain.
George, meanwhile, looked every inch the adorable prince in his blue wool-blend cardigan by another Spanish designer, Fina Ejerique. He wore it with little red shorts, his trusty navy blue Start Rite ‘Jo’ shoes and Amaia Kids ribbed socks.
While today marks the anniversary of the Queen’s birth, her official birthday celebrations will take place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 June. To celebrate, there will be a whole host of events going on around the capital in the weeks to come, including street parties, tea parties and concerts for families to enjoy.
Tonight, the skies of London will be illuminated by beacons, which will be lit from various locations, including Dartmouth Park in Islington, Alexandra Palace, the roof of the Hackney Empire theatre and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
On Saturday 11 June, Trooping The Colour will take place on Horse Guards Parade near St James’s Park, as the Queen leads the troops down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. She will later take to the balcony with other members of the Royal Family for an RAF Flypast. Families are encouraged to join the crowds along the Mall and near St James’s Park to watch all the action.
However the Queen is choosing to celebrate with her family today, from the fabulousness of these newly released portraits, there’s no doubt Britain’s longest-serving monarch is likely to be doing it in style.
Happy birthday, Your Majesty.
