RARELY SEEN PHOTOGRAPH OF QUEEN ELIZABETH RELEASED AS THE KING MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE HIS ACCESSION TO THE THRONE

Smiling serenely and wearing Elizabeth II poses in a rarely seen portrait released to mark the first anniversary of her death.

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Taken photographer by legendary Cecil Beaton in 1968, it shows Her Majesty, aged 42, wearing her velvet Garter robes and the Vladimir Tiara, which features 15 interlaced circles of diamonds.

The King shared the image, which hasn't been seen in public for more than 50 years, on the eve of the anniversary as he thanked the public for their support.

DEVOTED SERVICE

"In marking the first anniversary of Her Late Majesty's death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us," the King said in both a written and an audio statement. "I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all."

The striking photo was taken during Cecil's last sitting with his royal subject, whom he first photographed when she was 16, and was briefly displayed at an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery before going back into the royal archives in 1969.

A PRIVATE FAMILY SERVICE

As well as publicly acknowledging the sad milestone, His Majesty also commemorated his mother's life privately, with his wife the Queen and other family members joining him at a poignant service at the local church near Balmoral, the estate in the Highlands where Queen Elizabeth died on 8 September last year, aged 96.