Anthony Armstrong-Jones (later 1st Earl of Snowdon) began his career working as a society photographer for Tatler magazine. These photographs were taken during a sitting in October 1958 in order to create images for use on Ghanaian stamps and coins. Immediately before the sitting Her Majesty had returned to Buckingham Palace following the State Opening of Parliament. The photographs show her wearing the Diamond Diadem, which is traditionally worn for the journeys to and from the Palace of Westminster.

In 1960 Armstrong-Jones became a member of the Royal Family following his marriage to The Queen’s sister, Princess Margaret. He was later granted the title of 1st Earl of Snowdon. Lord Snowdon has photographed The Queen in every decade of her reign, with recent commissions including the official photograph to mark Her Majesty’s 80th birthday in 2006, and a photograph to celebrate The Queen’s Diamond Wedding Anniversary in 2007.