A charming photo of Queen Elizabeth II visiting Ottawa in 1951 has been selected as one of only eight pictures comprising a commemorative set of stamps to mark her 80th birthday later this month.
The set of images, all black and white, are intended to represent some of the happiest moments of the monarch's life. The Canadian shot shows the young Queen, who was only 25, wearing a stunning tiara/earrings suite and laughing in delight during a state banquet at Rideau Hall.
During the 53 years of her reign, the Queen has visited Canada more than 20 times, the last occasion being in May, 2005. She holds the distinction of having visited every province and territory.
Each picture in the commemorative set has been personally approved by the sovereign, and all but two of her eight decades are represented. There were no suitable pictures from the 1920s, and the 1990s - a period which saw the break-up of three of her four children's marriages and included her "annus horribilis" - has also been omitted.
The new stamps, which will be available as a commemorative pack as well as separately, go on release on April 18, three days before the Queen's birthday.
The last stamps specifically to mark the Queen's birthday were issued when she turned 60, but she has been featured in other special editions, such as last year's Trooping the Colour set.
Photo: AFP
Photo: AFP
