I’m just back from the National Portrait Gallery in D.C., where I saw a certain Tudor monarch’s portrait displayed prominently at the end of a hallway. This one is dated 1558 and it’s by an unidentified artist. (Click the pic for a better view.)
It was painted shortly after she got the crown, so there are a few references to leave no question as to who is the rightful monarch. The words “Elizabeth Regina” & her father’s square-cut stone (“the Mirror of France”) around her neck drive home the point quite well, don’t you think?
Love the ruff and the ermine–she looks very happy and quite proud. Not a beauty in this picture–makes me wish we had photos back then.