Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton

To celebrate the diamond jubilee of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne later this year, the V&A is exploring her roles as princess, monarch and mother through the portraits of royal photographer Cecil Beaton. The Queen was still a princess when she first sat for Beaton in 1942, but he went on to photograph her on various occasions over the next 30 years, including her coronation day in 1953.

Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration is on show at the V&A Museum, London, until 22 April 2012. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit the V&A Museum website.