A portrait of the Queen by artist Richard Stone has received the Royal seal of approval as it has been selected to be used on a commemorative stamp.


Six images of the Queen have been chosen to illustrate the 60th anniversary of her coronation.


And Royal portrait artist Mr Stone’s image of the Queen, which hangs in Colchester Town Hall, will appear on the air mail stamp.


The portrait was originally completed in 1992, six years after the request to do the portrait was first sent to Buckingham Palace.
 

In 1989, Mr Stone, of West Bergholt, had the first of seven sittings with the Queen.
Mr Stone said: “She famously does not make any remarks about portraits.


“We had had our last sitting and said our goodbyes in front of the portrait in the yellow drawing room of Buckingham Palace which is set aside for artists painting members of the Royal family.

“She shook my hand and said what a pleasant experience I had made it and she moved towards the door.
“Then she turned and took one last glimpse of the portrait and took a moment to reflect.


“She said ‘It will make a good stamp’ and here we are.”

Mr Stone said he was honoured his portrait had been chosen for the most expensive air mail stamp which costs £1.88.