Queen Elizabeth II Turns 95: Monarch, Mother, Source of Inspiration for Millions

Queen Elizabeth II turns 95 today on 21 April. Celebrations will no doubt be muted, given the world's longest-reigning monarch is mourning the loss of her husband Prince Philip, who died less than two weeks ago.

Having ruled over the UK and Commonwealth for more than 70 years, she's an iconic symbol for several generations of Brits and a pillar of stability for many. She's also inspired many renowned artists.

One of the most famous works portraying the Queen – by Andy Warhol – was at the time of its creation a little provocative, but still glorious. However, not all portraits of the Her Majesty have been so well received in the past.

Check out our gallery of artworks inspired by Queen Elizabeth II as she edges a little close to her centenary.

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Workmen install a new mural by Frederick Wimsett of Queen Elizabeth II to mark her 90th birthday celebrations, in central London, 2016.

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The Queen admires her portrait painted by sixth former Peter Hawkins (pictured), during a visit with the Duke of Edinburgh to Radley College, Abingdon, Oxon, to open a new building.

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The Queen is depicted as an asylum seeker on a carnival float during the Rose Monday Carnival street parade in Mainz, Germany, in 2019.

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A bust of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II made from porcelain created by Chinese artist Chen Dapeng on display at the Winter Olympia Art & Antiques Fair in London in 2015.

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A giant figure depicting Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the 136th Nice Carnival, France in 2020.

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A waxwork of the Queen in Sochi, Russia.

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Queen Elizabeth II is pictured next to a floral exhibit by the New Covent Garden Flower Market at the 2016 Chelsea Flower Show in central London.

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The Queen is depicted surrounded by John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Marylin Monroe, and more.

CC BY-SA 2.0 / jacinta lluch valero / Personajes

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"Lightness of Being" inspired by the Queen (L) by Chris Levine and Kim Dong Yoo's painting "Elizabeth II vs Diana" (R) at Ulster Museum in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 2012.

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Australian artist Rolf Harris unveils his portrait of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London in 2005. Harris painted the image to mark the Queen's 80th birthday.

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An employee of Japanese doll maker Kyugetsu wearing a kimono dress displays an ornamental wooden racket or "hagoita" decorated with this 2012 headline makers, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at the company's showroom in Tokyo in 2012.

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Queen Elizabeth II unveils a portrait of herself by artist Theodore Ramos at the Guildhall in Windsor in 2002, to mark her Golden Jubilee. A 1954 painting of the Queen hangs on the wall in the background.

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A bronze bust of Queen Elizabeth II in 2016.

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Art handlers pose as they hold two screen prints of 'Queen Elizabeth II' by Andy Warhol in 2021.

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A cartoon depicting Queen Elizabeth II is displayed at the New Cartoon Gallery in London in 2006.