Queen Elizabeth II

© Cecil Beaton / Victoria and Albert Museum, London

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Queen Elizabeth II

by Cecil Beaton
semi-matte cibachrome print, 2 June 1953
13 3/8 in. x 9 3/4 in. (331 mm x 249 mm)
Acquired from the estate of Cecil Beaton, 1986 in conjunction with the 'Elizabeth II' exhibition
Photographs Collection
NPG x35390

Sitterback to top

Artistback to top

  • Cecil Beaton (1904-1980), Photographer, designer and writer. Artist or producer associated with 1114 portraits, Sitter associated with 360 portraits.

Related worksback to top

Linked publicationsback to top

  • Faces of the Century, 1999 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 22 October 1999 to 30 January 2000), p. 222
  • Gittings, Clare, Portraits of Queen Elizabeth I: An Educational Resource Pack, 2003
  • Moorhouse, Paul and Cannadine, David (appreciation), The Queen: Art and Image, 2011 (accompanying the exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery from 17 May to 21 October 2012), p. 61 Read entry

    Beaton's Coronation photograph was taken in the Picture Gallery at Buckingham Palace after the ceremony. His impression was of an individual 'cool, smiling, sovereign of the situation'. Watching on television, an estimated twenty-seven million people had seen the Archbishop of Canterbury place St Edward's crown on Elizabeth's head. Beaton's photograph shows her wearing the Imperial State crown, in which are set the Black Prince's ruby and Queen Elizabeth I's pearl earrings.

  • Shulman, Alexandra, Elizabeth II Princess, Queen, Icon, 2021, p. 65

Linked displays and exhibitionsback to top

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1953back to top

Current affairs

A combination of low pressure in the North Sea, hurricane force winds, and high tides result in the Great Flood of 1953. With no warning system many were trapped in their homes as 20-foot waves crashed on the coast; hundreds were killed at sea and on the east coast.
John Hunt's British Expedition conquers Everest. News of the achievement reached Britain on the day of Elizabeth's coronation.

Art and science

Frances Crick and James Watson discover the double helix structure of DNA. Uncovering DNA's chemical make-up revolutionised our understanding of the building blocks of life.
Ian Fleming publishes his first James Bond novel, Casino Royal.
Chad Varah founds 'The Samaritans' helpline.

International

Joseph Stalin dies four days after suffering a stroke. It has been suggested that Stalin was assassinated, as he was denied medical assistance for over a day after he was found; many suspect that he was poisoned. On his death Georgy Malenkov became leader of the Soviet Union.

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