Queen releases official photo to mark Platinum Jubilee as Prince Charles leads tributes

Buckingham Palace has released a photograph of the Queen working from a red box to mark her Platinum Jubilee as Prince Charles led tributes to her.

The 95-year-old monarch was pictured smiling as she sat next to a table with an image of her father King George VI nearby.

The photograph, taken on Wednesday, showed the Queen working from papers delivered to her in the famous red box, as seen in the image.

The picture was released as heir-to-the-throne Charles heralded his mother for the "remarkable achievement of serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth for 70 years".

Watch: The Queen's letter to the nation on her Platinum Jubilee

Elizabeth II, who has become the first British monarch in history to celebrate 70 years on the throne, used her momentous milestone to issue her Royal seal of approval for Camilla as one-day Queen Camilla.

In the hugely significant intervention shaping the monarchy's future, the Queen expressed her "sincere wish" that Camilla would be known as Queen Consort when the Prince of Wales becomes King and called on the public to support them both.

In a written message marking the his mother's milestone Accession Day anniversary, Charles said he and Camilla were "deeply conscious" of the honour.

"On this historic day, my wife and I join you all in congratulating Her Majesty the Queen on the remarkable achievement of serving this nation, the Realms and Commonwealth for 70 years," the prince said.

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"The Queen's devotion to the welfare of all her people inspires still greater admiration with each passing year.

"We are deeply conscious of the honour represented by my mother's wish.

"As we have sought together to serve and support Her Majesty and the people of our communities, my darling wife has been my own steadfast support throughout.

"The year of this unprecedented Platinum Jubilee brings an opportunity for us all to come together in celebrating the service of the Queen, by whose example we will continue to be led in the years to come."

Further tributes were paid to the Queen’s years of duty, with prime minister Boris Johnson acknowledging her “unwavering dedication to this nation”.

He said: “Today marks a truly historic moment as Her Majesty the Queen becomes the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee.

“Throughout her seven-decade reign, she has shown an inspirational sense of duty and unwavering dedication to this nation.

“I pay tribute to her many years of service and look forward to the summer when we will be able to come together as a country to celebrate her historic reign.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer praised her “unparalleled public service” and for being a “global symbol of grace and dignity”.

He added: “The Queen has been one vital and valued constant in an ever-changing world, representing security and stability for our country, during the ups and downs of the last seven decades.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said the anniversary was important for the Queen and country.

He said: “Throughout the last 70 years the Queen has embodied what real leadership means."

“The Queen has demonstrated the true spirit of public service and integrity, values our country needs now more than ever.”

Former prime minister Theresa May also praised Her Majesty, adding: "We pay tribute to a 70-year reign, defined by duty and commitment - and show our gratitude to an extraordinary woman, who has dedicated her life to the service of her people & our family of nations."

Ex-Conservative PM David Cameron tweeted a picture of the Queen with him and his wife, saying: "There can be no finer example of dignified public duty & service."

The Queen, who came to the throne when she was just 25, is spending her Accession Day privately on the Sandringham estate in remembrance of her father George VI, whose death marked the start of her reign.

This Jubilee is her first without her beloved husband of 73 years the Duke of Edinburgh, who died 10 months ago.

In a message released to mark her Platinum Jubilee, the Queen said: "It is a day that, even after 70 years, I still remember as much for the death of my father, King George VI, as for the start of my reign.

"As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service."

National celebrations marking the Queen’s record-breaking service on the throne will be staged during a special four-day bank holiday weekend from 2 to 5 June.

Watch: Queen reveals 'sincere wish' that Camilla becomes Queen Consort