09/09/2022
Queen Elizabeth II has died, aged 96.
Fifteen British Prime Ministers served under her during her 70 year reign and she visited Australia 16 times.
The Australian Wattle Portrait of the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II was completed by Australian artist Sir William Dargie in 1954. The Queen’s 1954 tour was the first time a reigning monarch had set foot on Australian soil. About 75 per cent of Australia’s population caught a glimpse of the new young queen.
The wattle painting is one of the most recognisable 20th century Australian portraits.
You can find out more about her 1954 tour of Australia here: australiangeographic.com.au/topics/history-culture/2022/05/snapshot-the-1954-royal-tour/
Australia was one of her first and final destinations as part of her extensive royal tours.
She would return to Australia 15 more times. Her final visit was in October 2011 for a Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Her eldest son, Charles, is now King.
RIP Lilibet.
