Canada releases never-before-seen picture of the Queen which will be displayed in the country's government buildings, schools and embassies in honour of her ties to the Commonwealth nation
The Canadian government has released the Queen's new official portrait in honour of her ties to the Commonwealth nation.
The striking new portrait, which was captured by photographer Chris Jackson, shows Queen Elizabeth II, 94, wearing both the Sovereign of the Order of Canada and the Order of Military Merit on her left shoulder as she gazes off camera.
It will now be displayed in the country's government offices and schools as well as Canadian Embassies abroad.
In a Twitter statement today Mr Jackson wrote: 'It was an incredible honour to have the opportunity to photograph HM Queen Elizabeth II on behalf of the Canadian Government for her official Canadian Portrait that has been released today.'
The Queen's new official Canadian portrait in honour of her ties to the Commonwealth has been released
Photographer Chris Jackson shared his honour at being able to take the official photograph
The image was taken at Windsor Castle in March 2019 but officially released on Friday.
After the image were released, social media users rushed to the platform to share their admiration of the portrait.
One user wrote: 'Incredible! As a Canadian, thank you so much for this wonderful new portrait of Her Majesty!'
While another wrote: 'What a fantastic shot! Many congratulations on this!'
Another person commented: 'Oh WOW!! Congratulations, it is a majestic portrait!'
The portrait's release comes just a day after the Queen sent a reassuring message to the UK as she joined Prince William at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down near Salisbury.
Social media users congratulated Mr Jackson's image of the royal, with one calling it a 'majestic portrait'
The 94-year-old monarch, wearing a Stewart Parvin old rose cashmere coat teamed with a matching hat by Rachel Trevor Morgan, was joined by her grandson the Duke of Cambridge yesterday
During their visit, the royals met scientists who worked in the aftermath of the 2018 Novichok attack, and are supporting the UK's response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
While meeting experts at the facility, Queen Elizabeth responded to rising coronavirus levels, saying they were 'expected,' before adding the pandemic was 'horrible'.
But while the pair maintained strict social distancing and arrived separately by helicopter and car, neither opted to wear face coverings despite the Queen falling into the 'at risk' age bracket.
The 94-year-old shunned a mask, with Buckingham Palace confirming it was a matter of choice, rather than due to any health reason.