New portrait of The Queen bears uncanny resemblance to her face on postage stamp

Royal stamp of approval: New portrait of The Queen bears uncanny resemblance to her face on postage

New portrait was taken 50 years after iconic image was adopted by Royal Mail
‘Stamp of Approval’ has become latest addition to Royal Photographic Collection
The Queen has requested a large-scale copy after photographer Greg Brennan sent the picture to Buckingham Palace

By Jonathan Petre for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 00:27 BST, 23 September 2018 | Updated: 00:37 BST, 23 September 2018

This commanding image of the Queen has a familiar look to it.

But although it bears an uncanny resemblance to the portrait on British stamps, it was taken almost 50 years after the iconic image was first adopted by Royal Mail.

Photographer Greg Brennan captured the picture as the Monarch travelled to the State Opening of Parliament in 2015.

Titled Stamp of Approval, it has become the latest addition to the Royal Photographic Collection, with The Queen requesting a large-scale copy after Mr Brennan sent the picture to Buckingham Palace.

The Queen’s Private Secretary expressed her appreciation for the ‘impressive image’.