This portrait of her Majesty was painted by Edward Halliday as a companion piece to his portrait of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. Both portraits were commissioned by the officers of the Royal Air Force station at Henlow, Bedfordshire; they are to be unveiled at a guest night, attended by the artist, at the Officer's Mess on 22 January 1959, by Air Chief Marshal Sir Walter L Dawson, Air Member of Supply and Organisation. The Queen is depicted wearing the robes of the Order of the Garter over an ivory slipper satin gown encrusted with floral decorations. Around her neck is worn the Garter Collar which is of gold and consists of 24 pieces showing the Garter surrounding a Tudor Rose. Twenty four knots of chased gold join the pieces together; affixed to the lowest point is a pendant known as The George, which is an enamelled figure depicting St George and the dragon. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will fly to Canada on the 18 June for a six week visit, during which time her Majesty will open the St Lawrence Seaway. Mr Halliday has previously portrayed the Queen a number of times; he has been president of the Royal Society of Portrait Artists since 1956

Broadcast Date: 23 January 1959 and 24 January 1972

ITN Reference: 16/ELI/16

Agency: Camera Press London