Queen Elizabeth II

This portraitback to top

Rankin was one of ten photographers invited to record The Queen on a number of occasions in the Autumn of 2001 to mark her Golden Jubilee. The Portfolio of photographs was displayed at Windsor Castle and the National Portrait Gallery, London in 2002. On photographing the Queen, Rankin said, '...I have had the opportunity to document the world's most famous face. I only hope I have done justice to the person behind the face.' Taken in the Ballroom, Buckingham Palace.

Events of 2001back to top

Current affairs

Labour wins a second landslide general election victory campaigning on improvements to public services based on private finance projects. The Conservative party proved itself to be out-of-touch by ignoring public services and campaigning on the issue of Britain's membership of the EU. The day after the election William Hague resigned as leader of the Conservative Party.

Art and science

The Eden Project opens in Cornwall. The eco-centre, conceived by Tim Smit, replicates tropical and temporal climates and houses plants from all over the world in two domed biomes. The project is both a large-scale scientific experiment to study the environmental changes in different biomes over time, and a visitor attraction teaching the public about the natural environment.

International

On 11th September (9/11) America comes under foreign attack for the first time since Pearl Harbour when Islamic Fundamentalist terrorists hijack four planes, flying two into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre, and one into the Pentagon; the fourth plane crashed in a field.
George Bush launches his 'War on Terror' by invading Afghanistan to overthrown the Taliban and capture Osama bin Laden, leader of al-Qaeda.

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