Long may she reign: Queen becomes first monarch to celebrate 65 years on the throne

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Portrait of Elizabeth II has been reissued to mark the 65th anniversary of the day she became Queen

The photograph shows the head of state wearing a suite of sapphire jewellery given to her by King George VI as a wedding gift in November 1947.

Sapphire is the 65th anniversary gemstone and the King’s gift to his eldest daughter, then Princess Elizabeth, featured a glittering necklace, dating from 1850 and made of 16 large oblong sapphires surrounded by diamonds, with a pair of matching sapphire and diamond drop earrings.

The Queen has added a sapphire and diamond tiara – made from a necklace that originally belonged to Princess Louise of Belgium – and a bracelet 1963 to the collection to complement the original pieces. She had the necklace shortened and the largest stone made into a pendant.

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The photo shows Her Majesty wearing a suite of sapphire jewellery given to her by King George VI

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I’ve always been a huge fan of the Queen. She has very kind eyes with a mischievous glint

David Bailey

The photograph was taken and first issued in 2014 after being commissioned for the government’s “Great” campaign, which aims to promote the UK abroad.

Mr Bailey took a number of portraits of the monarch, and when the Duke of Cambridge saw them during a visit to a “Great” event in Shanghai the following year, he said: “I love them”.

The photographer, whose famous sitters include the Kray twins, Diana, Princess of Wales and the Beatles, said at the time of the commission: “I’ve always been a huge fan of the Queen. She has very kind eyes with a mischievous glint. I’ve always liked strong women, and she is a very strong woman.”

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Queen Elizabeth II arrives at an evening function during her first year as Queen

Today, the Sapphire Jubilee anniversary will be a sombre affair with the Queen remaining indoors and thinking about her late father.

Royal gun salutes will fire in London to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the monarch's accession to the throne.

The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery will stage a 41-gun salute in Green Park, followed by music from Band of the Royal Artillery.

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The Queen meets children in Camberwell during her silver jubilee celebrations

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in pictures
Tue, January 31, 2017

Photographs from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II which took place on June 2 1953.

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Queen Elizabeth II poses with the royal sceptre 02 June 1953 after being crowned

The Honourable Artillery Company will then fire a 62-gun salute at the Tower of London next to the Thames.

After the anniversary of her accession, the Queen’s winter holiday in Sandringham will come to an end and she will return to London.

The Queen and Prince Philip will celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary – marking 70 years of marriage – in November.

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• Our sapphire queen: Elizabeth II to celebrate 65 years on the throne

• Queen’s 65th anniversary: Elizabeth II’s reign in pictures

• When is the Queen's Sapphire Jubilee? How Elizabeth II will celebrate

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