Tree clue to royal portraits

The mystery over the identity of the painter of two celebrated portraits of Queen Elizabeth I of England is closer to being solved after scientists discovered they were painted on wood from the same two trees.

The 16th century paintings which go on display today, have long been thought to be the work of Nicholas Hilliard but it has never been proved.

Researchers at the National Portrait Gallery in London analysed the wooden panels they were painted on and discovered they came from the same two oak trees which probably grew near the Baltic, possibly in Poland.

Dr Tarnya Cooper, a curator at the gallery, said: "We have spent about nine weeks studying these pictures and the analysis has indicated they must come from the same artist studio, probably that of the talented miniaturist Nicholas Hilliard, or someone working close to him."

The portraits are known as the Phoenix and Pelican portraits after the jewels worn by the queen in each picture.