Queen Elizabeth once issued a hilarious six-word comeback that offered a glimpse of her true character, an artist has revealed. Chris Levine, the photographer behind some of the most celebrated portraits of Queen Elizabeth II, has lifted the lid on how he was “positioning” the late monarch to capture her with a 3D laser scan.
Commissioned by Jersey Heritage in 2004, Chris was tasked with creating a portrait to commemorate Jersey’s 800-year allegiance to the Crown. The finished photograph, Equanimity, was subsequently presented to the National Portrait Gallery.
A second image, the holographic Lightness of Being, was a variation that Chris began using in 2008, and it would go on to become one of the most enduring portraits of Queen Elizabeth, who would have celebrated her 100th birthday on April 21. Sitting for the portraits didn’t seem to dampen the late Queen’s spirits, though.
In fact, she even delivered an amusing six-word comeback to Chris’s assistant, Nina Duncan, after the process was compared to that of a “passport photo”. Her comment came to light after Chris shared new images of the Queen with The Mail.
He said: “When I was positioning the Queen to have her 3D laser scan taken, my assistant, Nina Duncan, said, ‘It’s a bit like having your passport photo taken, Your Majesty’.
“Ma’am replied with a smile, ‘One doesn’t need a passport photo’. I took the head-on picture just after that moment’.”
He added: “I captured the moment with a small digital, hand-held camera. I always liked it but never released it.”
As the former Sovereign, Elizabeth, who sadly died in 2022 aged 96, didn’t need a passport during her reign, according to the Royal Family website, and the same applies to King Charles today.
It reads: “When travelling overseas, the Sovereign does not require a British passport. As a British passport is issued in the name of His Majesty, it is unnecessary for The King to possess one.
“All other Members of the Royal Family, including The Queen and The Prince of Wales, have passports.”
In other news, Elizabeth is set to be honoured with a limited-edition collector’s teddy bear made in her likeness, as part of celebrations marking her 100th birthday next week.
Steiff’s Queen Elizabeth II Bear, crafted from mohair, is accessorised with a jewelled brooch and hat. Wearing a classic lime-green outfit associated with Elizabeth, it also carries a handbag and a pearl necklace.
Each bear is individually numbered and comes in a souvenir bag with a certificate of authenticity, while embroidery on the soles of its feet marks the late monarch’s 100th birthday.
Charles is expected to lead tributes next week, with the King addressing the nation and celebrating his mother’s life. He and Queen Camilla will also hold a reception for representatives from organisations and charities associated with the late Queen.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
