Is that really One? The Queen gets first glimpse of striking new portrait of her clad in her garter robes 

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A new portrait to mark the Queen's six decades as patron of the British Red Cross has been unveiled by the monarch.

The artwork, which has been painted by Henry Ward, depicts the head of state wearing her flowing garter robes as she sits in the White Drawing Room at Windsor Castle.

The Queen is the longest-serving patron of the charity, which supports people in crisis in the UK and overseas.

A striking new portrait of the Queen clad in her garter robes has been unveiled to celebrate her six decades as a patron of the Red Cross. The monarch unveiled the portrait on Friday at Windsor Castle

During the past six decades, she has supported the organisation by visiting projects and offices and attending and hosting events, such as a Buckingham Palace garden party to celebrate 100 years of the British Red Cross.

The new portrait, which was unveiled at Windsor Castle, contains imagery which highlights the long-standing relationship between the Royal Family and the Red Cross, whose first royal patron was Queen Victoria

But art critic and writer Sir Roy Strong said he was ‘stunned’ by the work. ‘I see what he’s trying to do – she is 90 after all, she’s not easy to paint,’ he said. ‘But he’s trying to do a grand state portrait and he hasn’t got the talent.

‘I think this is a lost opportunity. It’s not fit to hang on the railings of Kensington Gardens.

‘The only thing they can really do is cut it down to just her head and shoulders so they can hang it somewhere less conspicuous. It’s the sort of thing you see drawn on the pavement and people put money down. It must have been dreadful for the Queen.’

It received mixed reviews on social media, with several Twitter users claiming it looked nothing like the monarch. 

One tweeted: 'You commission a portrait of the Queen and this is what you get. A few people at the British Red Cross will be having a stiff drink tonight.'

Another wrote: 'Did the Queen send her double for portrait sittings?' 

And Sue Hyde was scathing: 'Excuse me, have you met our queen?? Obviously never looked closely at her face!! Awful painting! #HenryWard.'

The portrait includes a bust of Henry Dunant, who founded the organisation, and the Queen is wearing diamond earrings, a bracelet and a tiara which belonged to Queen Alexandra.

She signed the petition for the granting of the British Red Cross Royal Charter before it was presented to her husband, King Edward VII.

Artist Mr Ward, who was born in Essex and now lives in Canada, was chosen by the Red Cross because of his support of the charity.

Queen Elizabeth II views a portrait of herself by British artist Henry Ward, marking six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross, which has been unveiled at Windsor Castle 

The Queen is the longest-serving patron of the charity, which supports people in crisis in the UK and overseas, so looked thrilled to view her portrait 

British artist Henry Ward shows Queen Elizabeth II his portrait of her, marking six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross

The Royal Family have been closely involved with the Red Cross since it was founded. Queen Victoria became the first royal patron in 1870 and many others since have held significant positions

The portrait received mixed reviews on social media, with several Twitter users claiming it looked nothing like the monarch

He said: 'As a long-standing supporter of the British Red Cross, it has been an honour to paint the Queen to celebrate six decades of her patronage.

'To portray Her Majesty as monarch and as patron of the Red Cross I have included imagery that relates to the history of the relationship.

'I have also been influenced by previous royal portraitists such as Anthony van Dyck and Sir Joshua Reynolds.' 

The Royal Family have been closely involved with the Red Cross since it was founded. Queen Victoria became the first royal patron in 1870 and many others since have held significant positions.

The Queen, who is the longest serving patron of the charity, assumed her role following her accession to the throne in 1952. During those years The Queen has supported the organisation by visiting projects and offices and attending and hosting events, such as a Buckingham Palace garden party to celebrate 100 years of the British Red Cross.

Mike Adamson, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross, said: 'We are hugely grateful to The Queen for sitting for this portrait and unveiling it today. It celebrates the strong relationship between the British Red Cross and the Royal Family and the history of our life-saving work.' 

Discussing the piece, art expert Elisa Roche said: 'I know that at first glance many people won’t like this painting but I think it is absolutely beautiful and realistic without being unflattering. I commend the British Red Cross for commissioning it and just look at how much attention and discussion it is getting for the charity which is surely the point.

'The Queen looks resplendent draped in her flowing blue ceremonial robes, which represent her power and history but also show off her softer, feminine, tactile side. This painting almost invites us to lean forward and stroke Her Majesty's rich hem.

'The Queen’s Order of the Garter robes and jewels recall the wardrobe of Queen Alexandra, who became the first president of the British Red Cross in 1908.

'As a standalone work of art this is an iconic painting by a British painter who was born in Colchester and who studied at London’s Goldsmith’s at a time when the Young British Artists were making their mark.

'And yet he has shied away from that very controversial and dramatic style to offer up something more appropriate and respectful.

'I think this picture has the look of an Eighteenth Century Joshua Reynolds, with its sumptuous rich jewel tones and use of light and dark in the drapery.

'I love how Henry Ward has picked out one colour as the main force in his work. Throughout Art History dark blue is traditionally the colour of integrity, knowledge and power.

'If you don't like it, look again, I think this is a grower.'

Queen Elizabeth II meets Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Red Cross David Bernstein (centre) and Red Cross Chief Executive Michael Adamson (right)

Left: British artist Henry Ward shows Queen Elizabeth II his portrait of her. Right: Queen Elizabeth II meets Sir Roger de Haan and Lady de Haan, at the unveiling of a portrait of her by British artist Henry Ward, marking six decades of patronage to the British Red Cross

Queen Elizabeth meets Red Cross Executive Director of Fundraising Mark Astarita (left) and Red Cross Chief Executive Michael Adamson (right)

Queen Elizabeth II meets (left to right) artist Henry Ward and his wife alongside Red Cross Vice President Maria Shammas (centre) at the unveiling of a portrait of her by the British artist

Queen Elizabeth II meets Patron of the Berkshire Red Cross John Nike and Lady de Haan (second left)

Queen Elizabeth II meets Red Cross Vice President Maria Shammas (left) and CEO of the Co-Op Richard Pennycook as Patron of the Berkshire Red Cross John Nike and Lady de Haan look on, at the unveiling of a portrait of her by British artist Henry Ward

There have been plenty of portraits of the Queen unveiled in the past including this one. (L - R) WRU President Dennis Gethin, WRU Chief Executive Roger Lewis, First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and artist Dan Llywelyn Hall at the unveiling of the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in 2013. The painting, which Hall named Icon, is permanently housed at the national stadium after being produced to honour the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation

Chris Levine took many portraits of the Queen as a study for his finished holographic work, some of which, including this eyes-closed picture, have won him much admiration, left. Right: Rupert Alexander's portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, which was unveiled at the Royal Warrant Holders Association in London in 2010. The artist said: 'The Queen was friendly and talkative and humorous and was cracking jokes and telling me anecdotes during the sittings'

Exhibition curator Lauren Porter (left), Allan Chinn, Martin Clayton (second right) and Kate Stone (right) pose with Andy Warhol's Reigning Queens: Queen Elizabeth II portraits on the staircase leading to the Viewings Gallery at Windsor Castle, after being acquired by the Royal Collection in 2012

The Duchess of Cambridge with artist Nick Cuthell at a state reception at Government House in Wellington, New Zealand, where the royal couple unveiled a portrait of the Queen in 2014

This is by no means the first portrait to be unveiled. Most recently, Chris Levine took many portraits of the Queen as a study for his finished holographic work, some of which, including a now-iconic eyes-closed picture, have won him much admiration. 

A painting of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by artist Justin Mortimer entitled 'The Queen' was also featured in the National Portrait Gallery's exhibition 'The Queen: Art & Image' in 2016. The exhibition featured a wide-ranging display of images of The Queen from throughout her 60 year reign. 

Artist Dan Llywelyn Hall unveiled a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff in 2013. The painting, which Hall named Icon, is permanently housed at the national stadium after being produced to honour the 60th Anniversary of the Coronation.

There was also Rupert Alexander's portrait of Her Majesty The Queen, which was unveiled at the Royal Warrant Holders Association in London in 2010. The artist said: 'The Queen was friendly and talkative and humorous and was cracking jokes and telling me anecdotes during the sittings.'

Left: A portrait by Riccardo Macarron,commissioned by The Blues and Royals. Right: A childhood portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, circa 1928

A painting of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by artist Justin Mortimer entitled 'The Queen' in the National Portrait Gallery's exhibition 'The Queen: Art & Image' in 2016. The exhibition featured a wide-ranging display of images of The Queen from throughout her 60 year reign