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Queen Poses On Remote Spot At Balmoral

Queen Poses On Remote Spot At Balmoral

A new picture of the Queen standing in elaborate regalia in the middle of her Balmoral estate has been revealed.

The picture of the monarch posing in a Scottish field next to a stream has been released to mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation.

The Queen, wearing the striking emerald robes of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle - Scotland's version of the Order of the Garter, stood for half-an-hour for the shoot.

The image is among 100 portraits to appear in the latest edition of Alastair Bruce's book Keepers, The Ancient Offices Of Britain.

The Sky News events commentator was at the photo session, which fell during the Queen's holiday almost three years ago.

He said: "I'd imagine the last thing on earth she wanted to do was dress in all that and travel out in a couple of Range Rovers out into the middle of nowhere and stand for half an hour to be photographed."

The photoshoot nearly had to be abandoned because of the bad weather as the Queen declined to pose outside when it was raining.

But when it cleared up, she agreed to head out to the remote part of the estate - despite concerns there would be a problem with midges.

Bruce, who is also the historical adviser on Downton Abbey, said: "We had seen her on the day of the shoot and she said 'As long as it's not raining, we will do it'.

"Of course, when the Queen left the midges came out and we nearly died putting the kit away."

Photographer Julian Calder has told how he wanted to picture the Queen as the Queen of Scots in the style of a Raeburn painting.

He had just a single assistant and one light to help him achieve the tricky shot.

At the start of the shoot, he went up to the Queen and asked: "Your majesty, may I take charge?" and she agreed.

The Queen was also photographed in her study at Balmoral for the book, which looks at titles and appointments.

Another title included in the book is Bearer of the Dog Whipper's Rod.