Tim Saunders A new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled by the artist Claire Eastgate and a limited edition print has been accepted by the British monarch who was very pleased indeed. In May, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited Queen Elizabeth and walked through Windsor Castle. The portrait was commissioned by the Kennel Club of Great Britain, of which Queen Elizabeth II is patron; the original oil painting measures 24 x 28. The last portrait commissioned of their Royal patron was in 1974 by Terence Cuneo. Like Cuneo's painting, it is an outdoor setting, where the Queen is portrayed in blue headscarf and body-warmer at what appears to be a horse event. She is casual, relaxed and happy, a look we have rarely seen in art. The Queen's Diary Secretary Helen Cross said: “The Queen has asked me to thank you for your kindness in sending her the signed print of Her Majesty … she was very pleased indeed to receive a signed print.” Claire, whose work has also been purchased by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall added: “Of course it's somewhat daunting. “There have been 130 or so portraits of the Queen. However, the vast majority are formal what you might call ‘portraits of the Head of State'. I wanted the nation to see the Queen passionate about a personal interest, perhaps a horse event. It seemed to cry out for the open air, leaving the State Rooms literally behind us. “The Queen I set out to portray is the same person whom the nation saw expressing her patent delight at winning the Ascot Gold Cup. I felt for once I had backed the right horse.” — Photographs by Claire Eastgate can be viewed at www.ceastgate.com
