The Queen celebrates her actual birthday on 21 April, and her official birthday on a Saturday in June, which this year falls on 14 June in the UK.

 

The black and white photo, which shows the Queen smiling, was taken in March. She is pictured wearing pearls¹, and a dress by Angela Kelly, who has served as personal assistant and senior dresser to her since 2002. The 76-year-old said: "I've always been a huge fan of the Queen. She has very kind eyes with a mischievous²（淘气的） glint. I've always liked strong women, and she is a very strong woman."

 

The photograph, taken at Buckingham Palace, was commissioned on behalf of the government's "Great" campaign, which aims to promote trade, tourism, investment and education throughout the UK.

 

Recently-appointed culture secretary Sajid Javid said the portrait would help to support the aims of the campaign, which he said was to "showcase everything that is great about the UK to an international audience".

 

The British monarchy³ is one of the biggest drivers of tourism in the UK, and brings in an estimated ￡500m a year from overseas tourism, according to Visit Britain. According to "Great" campaign director Conrad Bird, the campaign has delivered economic returns worth more than ￡500m to the economy.

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