Analysis has shown that Elizabeth’s extremely pale complexion would originally have been much rosier as the reds in the flesh paint have faded. The common assumption that Elizabeth always had very pale features appears to be a myth; however, it is known that in the later part of her reign she wore pale make-up.

She chose, instead, to use portraits to show herself to her people. It was, therefore, essential that the portraits showed an image of Elizabeth that would impress her subjects. At intervals throughout her reign, the government issued portraits of Elizabeth that were to be copied and distributed throughout the land.

The Virgin Queen’s secret code! In an age before spin doctors, Elizabeth I’s portrait painters used symbols to convince her subjects of her wisdom, intellect and invincibility.

Elizabeth is being shown as wise, as her sleeve possesses the most cunning creature, the snake. She is also dripping with jewels and fine fabric, depicting her majesty, splendour and wealth. The beautiful crown on her head is a symbol of the monarchy.

The map is derived from Christopher Saxton’s map of England and Wales published in 1583. An armillary sphere hangs from Elizabeth’s ear as a symbolic reference to her divine power and an emblem of the Accession Day Tilts, and also appears in Anthonis Mor’s portrait of Lee of 1568 (NPG 2095).

This famous portrait was probably created for the pageant at Ditchley. Its symbolic theme is forgiveness as Elizabeth stands on the globe, signalling her divinely sanctioned right to rule as she banishes the stormy darkness. The so-called ‘Ditchley’ portrait, named after the house where it long resided.

The Armada Portrait of Elizabeth I of England is the name of any of three surviving versions of an allegorical panel painting depicting the Tudor queen surrounded by symbols of royal majesty against a backdrop representing the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Elizabeth I is considered one of the country’s most successful and popular monarchs. Clever, enigmatic and flirtatious, she rewrote the rules of being Queen.

Economic prosperity. When Elizabeth I took over the throne of England, she inherited a virtually bankrupt state. So she introduced frugal policies to restore fiscal responsibilities. She cleared the regime of debt by 1574, and 10 years on the Crown enjoyed a surplus of £300,000.

From defeating the Spanish armada to encouraging the arts to establishing England as a hub for global trade and exploration, Queen Elizabeth ensured that her country would remain a world superpower long after her death. …

Some historians think she chose not to marry in order to protect England’s security; she wanted to remain independent of any foreign influence which marrying a foreign prince would have brought. She kept everyone guessing on the subject of who she might marry but never did.

The Queen is related to Elizabeth I via Henry VII’s sister, Queen Margaret of Scotland, according to historian Robert Stedall.

Queen Elizabeth II is the male-line great-granddaughter of Edward VII, who inherited the crown from his mother, Queen Victoria. His father, Victoria’s consort, was Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha; hence Queen Elizabeth is a patrilineal descendant of Albert’s family, the German princely House of Wettin.

However, as Kate would be married to a King rather than reigning in her own right, she won’t become Queen in the same way that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is. Once Prince William takes the throne and becomes the King of England, Kate will then become Queen Consort.