18 January 2010

Devastating Beauty XIV : "Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor"

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Questions about Beauty and what defines it are endless- We know Beauty is defined as differently as individuals are.

Beauty is Strength.

Regardless of the frocks and finery worn by a Queen Elizabeth II- it is perhaps this uniform that the young Princess Elizabeth wore during World War II that she seems most Beautiful in-

In 1945 the Princess convinced her father to let Her contribute directly to the war effort. Elizabeth was a memeber of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (the ATS), No 230873 Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor, and was trained as a driver.




The Queen's striking portrait painted by Pietro Anigoni in 1955




 Anigoni's extraordinary portrait of Princess Margaret
painted in 1957




Read about Princess Margaret here at Rose C'est La Vie. Margaret is another Devastating Beauty in the Cast of Royals.

Read about Princess Margaret's Anigoni portrait here
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12 comments:

  1. Beautiful blog you've got here; haven't come across one like this yet. So much personality coming through all the various portraits you've chosen here. And what choices! Very nice.
    All the best,
    Michael

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  2. I just love this post.
    Also wanted to let you know I have an award for you over at my blog. If your blog is award free or you choose not to participate, no worries - just my way of saying I enjoy your blog!
    Warm regards,
    Simone.

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  3. These two portraits warrant the Beauty label. As with any Beauty it has to be sustained and strong. The Queen is ok with me.All these beauties are touched up to some degree,but Elizabeth is real.

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  4. My dear, your award is the Gorgeous Blog Award but if you would rather have the Honest Scrap I don't mind.

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  5. Oh my the Gorgeous Is much better! Yes of course! of course!

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  6. The beauty of the Queen is not just her luminous smile and the dignity of her bearing, but her humanity and exemplary sense of duty. I absolutely love her, I can't help it!

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  7. Rose-You have to love a lady that takes the train! The portraits are both gorgeous-are they favourites?
    The Princess is extraordinary in her portrait.

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  8. I love the portrait of Margaret , looks like it was from another century x

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  9. I think the Annigoni portrait of the Queen is the most stunning of her in her life. I've blogged about it:

    http://corcol.blogspot.com/2008/09/pleasure-of-annigoni.html

    And I saw the Margaret one in the National Portrait Gallery, when it was on loan from her son, David (Viscount) Linley. It too is absolutely beautiful. I have tried in vain to see the portrait of the Queen, but it is at Fishmongers' Hall, which isn't open that often to the public.

    I have a print of the sketch of the Annigoni, signed by him, and I'm determined that I'm going to have a copy of the oil commissioned. It's just so dramatic, romantic, and so ME!!

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  10. We had a copy of the Annigoni portrait hanging in the reception area of the British bank where I worked in the 80's. Even the copy was stunning...can't even immagine the original!

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  11. Helen-I so agree.

    Columnist-It is worthy of a copy. I would love to see both. Lindaraxa thank you for stopping in. pgt

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  12. would love to know what Queen Elizbeth II does
    to keep her skin & face so lovely at her age?

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