A NEW portrait of the Queen by Huddersfield artist Darren Baker has been unveiled.

The painting of the monarch wearing a spray of poppies was unveiled during a celebration of the Royal British Legion marking its 90th anniversary.

The Legion honoured Britain’s war dead as a new portrait of the Queen was unveiled to commemorate the milestone.

A service of thanksgiving was held at Westminster Abbey to recognise the charity’s efforts providing support and welfare for thousands of veterans and their families since it was established in 1921.

The Queen is patron of the Legion and artist Darren Baker, formerly of Meltham, who produces photo-realistic work, was commissioned to paint her portrait.

The Princess Royal, who is president of the Legion’s women’s section, unveiled the painting in front of the charity’s supporters at Church House in central London.

Mr Baker, 35, who now lives in the Cotswolds, said: “I was honoured and humbled to be given the commission. I didn’t think I would ever be in a position to paint the Queen.”

The picture shows the monarch seated near a large window in Buckingham Palace’s yellow drawing room and features a number of symbolic details.

The Queen’s wristwatch is set to 11am, the time on Remembrance Day when a minute’s silence is held, and she also wears a spray of five poppies.

Through the window can be seen the Queen Victoria Memorial lit up by sunlight and described by the artist as an image of hope, and the monarch wears a blue dress – the Legion’s official colour.