Queen's 80th Birthday

Birthday portrait for Queen at 80

A 28-year-old artist has unveiled a new portrait of the Queen dressed for a day at the races, as part of the monarch's 80th birthday celebrations.

Elizabeth's reign coincided with the transformation of many former British colonies into independent nations, some retaining her as head of state, others not. The Queen has visited every country in the Commonwealth except Cameroon.

Horses have played a large role in the Queen's life. She rode from an early age and came to an acute understanding of all things equine. At the age of six, Elizabeth told her riding instructor that she wanted to become a "country lady with lots of horses and dogs".

The Queen continues to maintain her role as a symbol of national unity during an age in which Britain's place in the world, British society and the role of the monarchy itself, has fundamentally changed.

profile : http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/elizabeth_ii_queen.shtml