Gracious, warm and friendly: artist portrays Queen in words

The Queen has been described as a "gracious, warm and friendly" sitter by the latest artist to paint an official portrait of the monarch.

Award-winning painter Isobel Peachey, 31 - believed to be the youngest woman commissioned to paint the monarch - praised her subject as she unveiled the new work.

Speaking at the National Portrait Gallery, the artist said: "What can I say about the commission? It was wonderful.

"She's sat for so many artists in the past, it isn't anything new for the Queen but she was gracious, warm and friendly, and wonderful to have as a portrait sitter."

The painting, which will hang in the Cunard liner Queen Elizabeth, shows the monarch in blue, wearing Queen Victoria's collet necklace and earrings.

Three sittings were held over three months from October last year to make sketches and the painting was created between March and July.

Ms Peachey added: "We talked, the Queen wanted to know about the commission and a little bit about me and my career.

"Each sitting took place as the changing of the guard was taking place, so we had that and the music that accompanied it to talk about."