Queen's new portrait: Grand painting by Nicky Philipps marks Her Majesty's 90th birthday

A new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II has been unveiled to mark Her Majesty's 90<sup>th birthday.

The Queen's Body Guard for Scotland of the Royal Company of Archers commissioned the painting by artist Nicky Philipps. It shows the British monarch in a grandiose setting wearing the robes of The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle as she stands at the top of the staircase at Archers' Hall.

The new portrait features a bust of Sir Walter Scott – a figure instrumental in establishing a ceremonial role for the Royal Company for the visit to Scotland by King George IV in 1822. It also includes the Colours of the Royal Company that were presented by The Queen in 1966.

The full-length portrait will be hung up in the dining room in Archers' Hall, according to the royal family's official website.

Artist Philipps is no stranger to painting royalty, and has previously been commissioned by The National Portrait Gallery in London to paint Princes William and Harry. Her portrait of the Queen for the Diamond Jubilee commemorative first class stamp is on permanent display in Buckingham Palace's opulent Throne Room.

The latest portrait, which was unveiled in Edinburgh, was created from a sitting with Her Majesty at Windsor Castle earlier this year – her main point of residence as she spends less time in London.

Philipps said: "It was an enormous privilege to paint this portrait for the Royal Company and I very much hope the Archers feel it is a worthy representation of our monarch."

While company secretary Lieutenant Colonel Richard Callander remarked: "There has been a long association with each monarch since the formation of the Royal Company and it is a great honour to have a portrait of Her Majesty to mark her 90th year."