Ahead of the Queen’s funeral on Monday, the royal family has released the final official portrait taken of the late monarch.
In the poignant photo taken by photographer Ranald Mackechnie, the Queen smiled ear-to-ear as she donned a powder blue suit.
Her Majesty also wore her signature three-strand pearl necklace and matching earrings, as well as an aquamarine brooch that was a present from her father, King George, for her 18th birthday.
The final official portrait was taken this year to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee.
(Image: Ranald Mackechnie)“Ahead of Her Majesty The Queen’s Funeral, a new photograph has been released,” the Palace captioned the photo on social media.
“It was taken this year to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, as she became the first British Monarch to reach this milestone.”
The photo was released less than a day before the Queen’s funeral, which will be held at Westminster Abbey at 11am BST (8PM AEST) on Monday.
While it’s the last official portrait ever to be taken of the Queen, the final photo of the late monarch was snapped just two days before her death.
The last photo ever taken of the Queen shows her appointing new British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
(Image: Getty)Just a mere 48 hours before she passed away in Balmoral, Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II – Britain’s longest-reigning monarch – performed what would become her last duty as the Queen.
The Queen officially swore in the 56th British Prime Minister, Liz Truss, at Balmoral castle.
While the image of the Queen shaking hands with Liz, who curtsied as per tradition, isn’t a departure for the head of a monarchy, it’s a moving testament to the Queen’s dedication to the United Kingdom.
The photos show the Queen steadfastly performing her duties, despite appearing frail and in considerable pain.
Donning a grey plaid skirt, blouse and matching cardigan as she shook hands with the nation’s new leader, the Queen kept her composure, warmth and tireless work ethic right up to the end of her reign.
Following today’s funeral service at Westminster Abbey in London, a gun carriage procession will take the Queen’s coffin past Buckingham Palace and arrive at Hyde Park Corner.
The coffin will be moved to a hearse and move towards Windsor Castle, where a committal service will be held at 4 pm at St George’s chapel.
Following the service, the coffin will be lowered into the Royal Vault.
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