2010 National Service Memorial 50c PNC

2010 National Service Memorial 50c PNC

On 9 September 2015, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning British monarch in history. She acceded to the throne on 6 February 1952.

The stamps on this cover feature formal portraits from leading British society photographers.

Cecil Beaton (1904-80) photographed Her Majesty on the royal family's return to Buckingham Palace after the coronation service in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.

The dramatic depiction of the young Queen against a painted backdrop of Henry VIl's Lady Chapel in Westminster Abbey was a significant departure from previous coronation portraits.

Peter Grugeon (1918-80) tok the portrait of the Queen featured in the other stamp design.

The sitting took place on 1 January 1975, in the period leading up to her silver jubilee in 1977. Photographed in Buckingham Palace, Her Majesty is wearing the Grand Duchess

Vladimir tiara and Queen Victoria's golden jubilee necklace.