HM Queen Elizabeth II (b. 1926)
15 - 15 Apr 1952Gelatin silver print | 24.7 x 17.9 cm (whole object) | RCIN 2152953
A second sitting with Wilding was organised, so that portraits could be taken of The Queen wearing a coronet, which was felt to be more appropriate for official use. A crown could not be worn as The Queen’s Coronation was not to take place until 2 June 1953. The Diamond Diadem was selected, and the resulting image was used as the basis for The Queen’s image on millions of British postage stamps from 1953 until 1971, which became popularly known as ‘Wildings’.