Queen Elizabeth formally acceded to the throne in February, 1952, when her father died. She was the sixth female to ascend to the British throne. In 2015, she surpassed the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who ruled for 63 years and seven months, to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Born on April 21, 1926 in London, she was the elder daughter of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Her birth name was Elizabeth Alexandra Mary – she was named after her mother Queen Elizabeth, her paternal great-grandmother Queen Alexandra and her paternal grandmother Queen Mary. She got married to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on November 20, 1947.
When Queen Elizabeth was still a princess in 1951, she travelled to Washington, DC for the first time to meet President Harry Truman, and the two complimented each other’s nations…reports Asian Lite News
Queen Elizabeth II has the rare distinction of having received all but one of the 14 US Presidents during her 70 year reign, Lyndon Johnson being the exception. Johnson was never an elected president, he succeeded John F. Kennedy after his assassination.
All five of the former US presidents still living paid homage issuing statements praising her reign and her persona.
Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, her summer retreat, at 96.
During her seven-decade reign, the Queen met 13 of the last 14 US presidents. This includes all five of the former presidents who are still alive: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
When Queen Elizabeth was still a princess in 1951, she travelled to Washington, DC for the first time to meet President Harry Truman, and the two complimented each other’s nations.
“Free men everywhere look towards the US with affection and with hope,” she told Truman.
In the wake of her death, the former presidents have offered their condolences and reflected on their interactions with the late monarch.
“Her dignity, graciousness, and sense of duty have been an inspiration, and we join the millions around the world in mourning a remarkable leader,” Carter said in a statement.
Clinton in a statement said that he and his wife, Hillary Clinton, “mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and we join with people across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and all around the world, in giving thanks for her extraordinary life.”
Clinton said they “will always be grateful for the kindness she showed us through the years, particularly during our visits to Buckingham Palace in 1995 and 2000, and for all she did to deepen the Special Relationship.”
Describing her 70-year reign as “remarkable,” Clinton said Queen Elizabeth “led Britain through great transformations with unfailing grace, dignity, and genuine care for the welfare of all its people.”
“In sunshine or storm, she was a source of stability, serenity, and strength,” he added.
Bush said he and former first lady Laura Bush regarded the queen as a woman of “great intellect, charm, and wit.”
In a statement, Bush said she “ably led England through dark moments with her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow.”
“Spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty — and her Corgis — is among our fondest memories of the presidency,” Bush said.
Barack Obama said that he and former first lady Michelle Obama were “lucky enough to come to know Her Majesty, and she meant a great deal to us.”
“Back when we were just beginning to navigate life as President and First Lady, she welcomed us to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity.
“Time and again, we were struck by her warmth, the way she put people at ease, and how she brought her considerable humour and charm to moments of great pomp and circumstance,” Obama added.
In a post to Truth Social, Trump said he and former first lady Melania Trump “will always cherish our time together with the Queen.” “What a grand and beautiful lady she was — there was nobody like her!” Trump wrote, said the Business Insider.
Biden and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, offered their condolences on the Queen’s demise in a lengthy statement issued on Thursday…reports Ashe O
US President Joe Biden will be prominent among several high-profile heads of state who are likely to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, the White House confirmed on Friday.
Biden is not the only major figure who may be expected to attend the funeral of the Queen.
Foreign heads of state and government, including other European monarchs, presidents and prime ministers, are almost certain to join the mourners in the United Kingdom.
The 96-year-old queen died at her home in Balmoral, Scotland, on Thursday as close family members rushed to be with her, including her grandson Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge.
Biden and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, offered their condolences on the Queen’s demise in a lengthy statement issued on Thursday.
“Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special,” the Bidens said.
“We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world,” the statement went on.
The late Queen’s son, now King Charles III, has declared a period of royal mourning that will last until seven days after his mother’s funeral. Details of the funeral are expected to be announced soon. Operation London Birdge has already been set in motion, and a set of elaborate protocols will be observed until the Queen’s funeral, seven days hence.
Biden also issued an order on Thursday that flags at the White House and other federal government buildings should fly at half-staff until the Queen’s funeral, according to media reports.
The Bidens had met Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in June 2021, just a few months after Joe Biden became the President. It was his first foreign trip as commander-in-chief.
Buckingham Palace issued a statement on Friday about the procedures for royal mourning and explained what the public can expect in the coming days.
“Following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, it is His Majesty the King’s wish that a period of royal mourning be observed from now until seven days after the Queen’s funeral. The date of the funeral will be confirmed in due course,” the statement said.
The new king is travelling from Balmoral to London on Friday where he will meet the recently appointed Prime Minister Liz Truss. On Saturday morning, Charles III will be formally proclaimed king after the traditional accession council.
“The proclamation will be read by Garter King of Arms, accompanied by the Earl Marshal, other Officers of Arms and the Serjeants at Arms. This is the first public reading of the Proclamation,” the Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
Other public proclamations will follow in London and elsewhere.
Following the State Funeral, the coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London for its onwards journey to Windsor…reports Asian Lite News
The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will take place at Westminster Abbey in London on September 19, at 11am local time, Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday.
Prior to the State Funeral, the late British monarch will lie-in-state at Westminster Hall nearby for four days, to allow the public to pay their respects.
“During the Lying-in-State, members of the public will have the opportunity to visit Westminster Hall to pay their respects to the Queen, the palace statement said.
“On the morning of Monday 19th September, the Lying-in-State will end and the coffin will be taken in Procession from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey, where the State Funeral Service will take place, it said.
Following the State Funeral, the coffin will travel in procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch in London for its onwards journey to Windsor.
In Windsor, the State Hearse will travel in procession to St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, the monarch’s final resting place with her late husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland after reigning for 70 years. She was 96.
On Sunday, the coffin will travel to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, a journey of six hours by road, via Aberdeen. Six of her Balmoral gamekeepers will carry the coffin from the Balmoral ballroom to the hearse.
It will remain in the throne room at Holyroodhouse until Monday afternoon, before a procession to St Giles’ Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, with the King, Queen Consort and other members of the royal family walking behind. At 3pm there will be a service, attended by the King and family members, during which the crown of Scotland will be placed on the coffin.
The Queen will then lie at rest at St Giles’ Cathedral for 24 hours, enabling the people of Scotland to pay their last respects, with vigils mounted by the military. That evening, the King and members of the royal family will mount their own vigil.
The following evening the Queen’s coffin will be flown to London, accompanied by the Princess Royal, and arriving at Buckingham Palace at 8pm, the palace said. It will be received by a guard of honour, with the King, Queen Consort and other family members watching, before being carried to the Bow Room, where a rota of chaplains will keep watch.
In the early afternoon on Wednesday, the coffin – adorned with the Imperial State Crown, along with a wreath of flowers – will be taken by procession to the Palace of Westminster for the lying in state, where it will remain for four days until the morning of the funeral.
The King, members of the royal family and senior staff of the Queen and King’s households will walk in silence behind the coffin as it follows a route along Queen’s Gardens, the Mall, Horse Guards Parade and Horse Guards Arch, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square and New Palace Yard.
Throughout the procession, guns will be fired at Hyde Park by the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and Big Ben will toll. The coffin will be carried in procession from the gun carriage to the catafalque positioned in the centre of Westminster Hall by a bearer party.
During the lying in state, a continuous vigil will be mounted around the catafalque from the Household Division, the King’s Body Guards of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, the King’s Bodyguard for Scotland, the Royal Company of Archers and the King’s Bodyguard the Yeomen of the Guard.
The Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk, who has overall responsibility for the funeral, which the Queen herself would have approved, said he and others involved “will carry out our duty over the coming days with the heaviest of hearts”.
“But also, with the firmest of resolve to ensure a fitting farewell to one of the defining figures of our times; a monarch whom we were truly privileged to have had as the head of state of our country and the realms, and head of the wider Commonwealth,” he said.
“While His Majesty the King was speaking about his family, I think it applies to us all when he said in his broadcast yesterday that ‘we owe her the most heartfelt debt’. I think we can, in some way, repay that debt by carrying out her last wishes in delivering Her Majesty the Queen’s funeral.”
On his visit to Scotland, the King will have an audience with the first minister, followed by an audience with the presiding officer of the Scottish parliament.
The King and the Queen Consort will then attend the Scottish parliament to receive a motion of condolence.
Wickremesinghe tweeted Friday September 09 morning that he was saddened to learn of the queen’s passing…reports Asian Lite News
Queen Elizabeth II was a symbol of stability and endurance and will be greatly missed, Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe said in a condolence message.
Wickremesinghe tweeted Friday September 09 morning that he was saddened to learn of the queen’s passing.
In an earlier statement, the president’s media division said as a mark of respect on the passing of the queen, who was the Head of the Commonwealth and Queen of Ceylon 1952-72, the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government has been instructed that the National flag be flown at half mast in all public buildings on Friday.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s parliament also observed a two-minute silence before it began proceedings on Friday.
Elizabeth II was the first queen of Pakistan, taking over her father King George VI’s role as monarch, and reigned over the country till March 23, 1956, when Pakistan became a republic…reports Asian Lite News
Queen Elizabeth II’s reign encompassed to a large degree Britain’s declining global influence, from an empire that once bestrode the world to a middle-ranking economy.
During her time as queen, the footprint of her monarchy shrank dramatically, but at her death, she was still head of state of the United Kingdom and 14 Commonwealth countries or realms.
At her coronation in 1952, Elizabeth II was crowned queen of seven independent countries: the United Kingdom, Pakistan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ceylon, which later changed its name to Sri Lanka.
Where she remained queen, the role was largely ceremonial, and her duties were carried out by one of her governor generals — a viceroy who effectively acts as head of state.
Elizabeth II was the first queen of Pakistan, taking over her father King George VI’s role as monarch, and reigned over the country till March 23, 1956, when Pakistan became a republic.
Pakistan spent almost Rs482,000 during her coronation which former prime minister Muhammad Ali Bogra justified by saying that Pakistan being a member of the Commonwealth “has to fall in line with other sister Dominions on such occasions”.
Her coronation gown was embroidered with floral emblems of each Commonwealth nation and featured three representing Pakistan: wheat, cotton and jute.
However, her role as queen of Pakistan remained minimal and uneventful as she intentionally abstained from interfering in the country and its politics, while her governor-general played a ceremonial role.
The Diplomat cites the example of then governor-general Sir Ghulam Muhammad who had fired prime minister Sir Khawaja Nazimuddin in 1953 for attempting to equalise the power of West and East Pakistan. The premier had endeavoured to reverse this by appealing to the queen, but she refused to intervene.
Her reign over the country was abolished in 1956 after Pakistan adopted a republican constitution.
Visits to Pakistan
The late monarch visited Pakistan twice during her rule, in 1961 and 1997.
During her first tour from February 1-16, 1961, Elizabeth II – aged 34 – was accompanied by her consort Prince Phillip and journeyed to Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore and the northern areas.
She was received by former president Ayub Khan and presented with the 21-gun royal salute. In her remarks, Elizabeth II dubbed Pakistan as “one of the powers in the world of Islam” and “one of the great nations of the Commonwealth.
About her visit, British publication, The Guardian said that Pakistan had staged a torchlight tattoo and fireworks function, as the Queen and Prince Philip were treated to a “full weekend of entertainment”.
Her second visit to the former colony was 36 years later, in 1997 when Sardar Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari was president and Nawaz Sharif was the prime minister. Her tour coincided with Pakistan’s golden jubilee as the country celebrated 50 years of independence.
She remained in the country from October 7-13, once again accompanied by her spouse Prince Philip.
According to a royal press release, the couple arrived at Chaklala, Islamabad, where they were yet again presented with a 21-gun salute as they stepped off the plane. The Queen and Duke were received by the then foreign minister, Gohar Ayub Khan.
During this visit, Elizabeth II also addressed the joint sitting of the Parliament of Pakistan on October 8, 1997, where she urged “renewed efforts to end historic disagreements” between India and Pakistan.
She later met with Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, who was serving as the leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, and other political leaders.
A final decision on whether she stays on will be announced publicly next week because the outgoing and incoming prime ministers need advance notice, the newspaper said…reports Asian Lite News
In a historic first, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II is likely to conduct the traditional ceremony to appoint a newly elected leader as the country’s prime minister at her Balmoral Castle residence in Scotland.
The 96-year-old monarch, who has been experiencing age-related mobility issues, is on her annual summer vacation in Scotland.
‘The Sun’ newspaper claims that secret plans have been drawn up for her to receive either former Chancellor Rishi Sunak or Foreign Secretary Liz Truss at her Balmoral base rather than make the journey down to Buckingham Palace in London or Windsor Castle in south-east England.
🏴 Due to The Queen’s ongoing mobility issues, it has been reported the new Prime Minister could be appointed by The Queen at Balmoral instead of Buckingham Palace. 👑
The new Prime Minister would visit Scotland, where the kissing of the hands would take place. pic.twitter.com/2T8EhtPDhb
The new Conservative Party leader will be elected on September 5 and is then scheduled for an audience with the Queen the day after to be formally appointed as Boris Johnson’s successor at 10 Downing Street.
A final decision on whether she stays on will be announced publicly next week because the outgoing and incoming prime ministers need advance notice, the newspaper said.
It would be the first time in living memory that the so-called “kissing of the hands” of the monarch by the leader of the majority party in Parliament happens outside London or Windsor.
“But obviously no one tells the Queen what to do and ultimately it is her decision, and as we saw when she made a third appearance on the Buckingham Palace balcony at the Jubilee she likes surprises. There are some parts of her role that Prince Charles can do on her behalf but the Queen is adamant that she appoints the Prime Minister,” the source said.
“It may not be the best choice to make the Queen travel 1,000 miles there and back for a 48-hour visit when the Prime Ministers can easily get to Balmoral instead,” the source added.
According to the report, when the Queen arrived in Scotland last month for a 10-week holiday she had hoped to make the journey south once the new prime minister is elected and her Windsor Castle residence in Berkshire had been earmarked for the traditional constitutional ceremony.
It is very rare for any British monarch not to anoint a new prime minister at Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. Back in 1952, the Queen conducted the ceremony with her first Prime Minister Winston Churchill at Heathrow after she flew back from Africa as a new monarch following her father King George VI’s death.
“My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women’s Championships,” a statement from the UK monarch said.
The Queen’s message added: “It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff.
“The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise. However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned. You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations. It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today.”
Prince William, writing on his Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Twitter account, said: “Sensational. An incredible win. The whole nation couldn’t be prouder of you all. Wonderful to see history in the making tonight at Wembley, congratulations!”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson praised Sarina Wiegman’s side on social media, writing: “Football has come home! A stunning victory by the Lionesses.
“Huge congratulations to Sarina [Wiegman, manager], Leah [Williamson, captain] and the whole team. Football pitches across the country will be filled as never before by girls and women inspired by your triumph.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4fbG4K10Gw
In front of a record crowd of 87,192 for any match in the history of the European Championships, Kelly prodded home a loose ball from close range to end English football’s 56-year wait for a World Cup or Euro victory.
England looked set for victory in the 90 minutes when substitute Ella Toone’s sublime chip over Merle Frohms put the hosts in front.
Germany showed remarkable resilience to bounce back as Lina Magull levelled 11 minutes from time.
But for once, England were not to be denied a major tournament success.
Kelly fought back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear to be fit in time for the tournament and made herself a national hero by being in the right place to pounce when Germany failed to clear a corner in the 110th minute.
Fortune did not favour Germany, who lost captain and top goalscorer Alexandra Popp to a muscle injury in the warm-up.
But England will feel their time for some luck was due as 12 months on from the Three Lions’ defeat on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 men’s final, the nation’s women went one better.
England manager Sarina Wiegman has now led the home nation to the title in back-to-back women’s Euros after leading the Netherlands to victory five years ago.
Under Wiegman, England are unbeaten in 20 games but were pushed to the limit by the eight-time winners despite missing the massive presence of Popp.
The Wolfsburg striker, who missed the entirety of Euro 2013 and 2017 through injury, had scored six goals in five games on route to the final.
Despite losing their major goal threat and facing the intimidating atmosphere of a full Wembley waiting to party, Germany showed remarkable resilience.
England were saved by desperate defending from a combination of Mary Earps, Leah Williamson and Millie Bright then prevented Marina Hegering from turning in a corner.
Wiegman did not make a change to the England starting line-up throughout the whole tournament as she resisted the clamour for Alessia Russo to start ahead of Ellen White up front.
White, England women’s all-time leading goalscorer, had the hosts best chance before the break but blazed Beth Mead’s cut-back over.
Germany started the second half even stronger and were inches away from the vital opening goal when Magull prodded just wide at the end of a flowing team move.
Strength in depth has been one of the key features of England’s success under Wiegman and the Dutch coach turned to Russo and Toone to turn the tide as they did in the quarter-final win over Spain.
The changes worked to perfection once more as Toone timed her run through the heart of the German defence to latch onto Keira Walsh’s through ball and showed the composure to coolly lift the ball over Frohms.
Lesser sides than the eight-time champions would have been broken, but Germany immediately pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
The excellent Magull smashed a shot off the post and Popp’s replacement Lea Schueller should have converted the rebound rather than rolling the ball into the arms of the grateful Earps.
Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side were not to be denied, though, and fittingly it was Magull who sent the game to extra-time as the Bayern Munich midfielder slotted Tabea Wassmuth’s cross into the roof of the net.
The German attack was further blunted by Magull’s withdrawal at the end of 90 minutes due to a knock and both sides felt the pace of a physical encounter in the extra 30 minutes.
England just had enough left in the tank to finally get the job done as Germany failed to deal with the second ball from a corner and Kelly’s telescopic right leg flicked the ball home.
British Indian dance and music ambassador Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), has been awarded a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the promotion of South Indian classical music and dance
‘My humble congratulations to Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan on being recognised for her passion. She continues to promote social cohesion and British Values through Carnatic music, inspiring people from all walks of life’ – Andy Street CBE, Mayor for the West Midlands
One of Great Britain’s leading South Asian dance and music choreographers and a specialist mental health champion has been recognised in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours.
Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), has been awarded a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the promotion of South Indian classical music and dance.
The delighted mum-of-two from Solihull in the West Midlands, who is, among other roles, the Founder and Director of the popular annual non-for-profit World Music Conference, said: “I am genuinely humbled by this prestigious honour. I attribute this award to my Late parents, my family and well-wishers, at home and abroad, who have believed in me, supported me and have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with me on my journey thus far.”
Dr Ramakrishnan is also the Founder and Artistic Director of ShruthiUK, a South Asian Arts organisation, which was set up in 2005 in Leeds, and of the British Carnatic Choir, established in June 2015 in Birmingham.
ShruthiUK aims to connect diverse cultures and create inter-community links through dance and music to help make a positive change to the lives and livelihoods of those who wish to be part of this journey. It aims to inspire and motivate people from all ages and all walks of life, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
British Carnatic Choir, which is believed to be the only one of its kind in the UK, aims to bridge links between people and communities across the nation and give them an opportunity to learn or experience this specialist South Indian music style. In addition, Dr Ramakrishnan offers specialist workshops through music and dance, as her way of championing the Mental Health agenda which, following the Covid-19 pandemic, has become more important than ever for the health and well-being of everyone.
Andy Street CBE, Mayor for the West Midlands, said: “My humble congratulations to Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan on being recognised for her passion. She continues to promote social cohesion and British Values through Carnatic music, inspiring people from all walks of life. Hats off to her perseverance, dedication and commitment to a specialist form of music and dance which is clearly an effective way of connecting hearts and minds at home and abroad.”
Echoing the Mayor’s comments, Dr Shashank Vikram, Consul General of India in Birmingham, said: “Delighted to hear that Dr Chithra Ramakrishnan is among those recognised in the latest Queen’s Honours List. Well deserved. We have had the pleasure of working in partnership with Dr Chithra whose remarkable work and efforts continue to inspire, educate and empower diverse communities within and outside our region.”
She is a recipient of a number of awards. Among these, in 2018, Dr Ramakrishnan was recognised by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council for “outstanding achievement and commitment to the community in Solihull”, as part of the Solihull Civic Honours initiative.
Adding his congratulations, the Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, John Crabtree OBE, said: “Making up the fabric of the West Midlands are some amazing people who work hard to deliver a better, brighter and kinder place. Dr Ramakrishnan is a shining example. These people with big hearts are often known within their neighbourhoods but fail to gain the wider credit they deserve.”
Paul Sabapathy CVO CBE, former Lord-Lieutenant for the West Midlands, and mentor to Dr Ramakrishnan, said: “Well done to Chithra. She is entirely deserving of this Royal honour and I’m genuinely pleased for her. Chithra radiates and raises even greater awareness of her passion for South Indian music and dance to everyone she comes across. Long may she continue to prosper.”
Elizabeth II was the official photograph taken by the Royal photographer Peter Grugeon (1918-1980), released for the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977…reports Asian Lite News
Two Andy Warhol screen prints of Queen Elizabeth II in ‘The Art of Literature: Auction Highlights Exhibition’, are on display in London till June 14 at Christie’s.
Created in 1985, Warhol’s Reigning Queens series brought together four ruling monarchs, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Queen Margarethe II of Denmark, Queen Ntombi Twala of Swaziland and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The series was issued in two editions, a standard edition of forty, and a Royal Edition of thirty with diamond dust. (Illustrated on page 1 right, blue screen print), Queen Elizabeth II, from: Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985, (estimate 200,000-300,000) and (illustrated on page 1 left, red screen print), Queen Elizabeth II, from: Reigning Queens (Royal Edition), 1985, (estimate 250,000-350,000) both from the ‘diamond dust’ Royal Edition.
The source image for Warhol’s celebrated portrait of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II was the official photograph taken by the Royal photographer Peter Grugeon (1918-1980), released for the Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977.
The two works are on display in conjunction with Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which commemorate her coronation in June 1953. After 70 years of service, Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, as well as the world’s third longest reigning monarch and the longest-reigning female monarch in history.
Following the recent record-breaking sale on 9 May 2022 at Christie’s New York, where the Shot Sage Blue Marilyn by Andy Warhol sold for $195 million from The Collection of Thomas and Doris Ammann Evening Sale, establishing it as the most expensive 20th-century artwork to sell at auction, Andy Warhol is very much in the news.
