I say, is one's crown straight? Candid photos reveal intimate moments with Her Majesty on set of shoot for holographic portrait

By Deborah Arthurs

PUBLISHED: 10:36 GMT, 17 April 2012 | UPDATED: 07:17 GMT, 18 April 2012

A newly released set of photographs from a 2004 photoshoot gives us a glimpse of the Queen as we have rarely seen her.

In candid behind-the-scenes snaps taken by artist Chris Levine's assistant Nina Duncan on a two-day shoot for his holographic portrait Equanimity, the Queen is shown smiling warmly, or sitting pensive with her eyes closed.

Elsewhere, she is being helped into her clothes by her personal assistant Angela Kelly - a lavish set of costumes including the ermine-trimmed cloak she ultimately wore in the resulting portrait - and an opulent blue cloak.

Most endearingly of all, we are afforded a glimpse of the Queen positioning her crown - the Diamond Diadem, created for George IV and worn by Her Majesty for the procession to her Coronation in 1953 - in front of the mirror.

The snaps were taken by Nina Duncan when Levine was commissioned by the Island of Jersey to create a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2004 to commemorate 800 years of allegiance to the crown by the Island.

The Queen prepares for a 2004 holographic portrait, taken by Chris Levine and commissioned by the Island of Jersey. The portrait was to commemorate 800 years of allegiance to the crown by the Island

The Queen prepares for a 2004 holographic portrait, taken by Chris Levine and commissioned by the Island of Jersey. The portrait was to commemorate 800 years of allegiance to the crown by the Island

She took many of the photographs on a small digital camera. She said: 'People have seen hundreds of different pictures of the Queen, but these show a different side to her.

'Some of the people in the room were in awe of her, but I took a different point of view. I saw this wonderful little old lady who reminded me of my nana.

'I was quite surprised she put her own crown on her head. I thought someone would do that for her.

'There wasn't a lot of pomp and ceremony around her. She just put it on and we got on with the job.'

 

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To create the over-life-size three-dimensional portrait, Levine himself took over 10,000 images and 3D data-sets of Her Majesty during two sittings at Buckingham Palace. Meanwhile, Nina took these intimate photographs that we see here now.

The final hologram, mounted in glass and illuminated by a strip of blue LEDs, was met with worldwide acclaim.

The historical context of the portrait was a an eventful time for the Queen. The year 2004 saw the union between Charles and Camilla grow stronger, with the two announcing their engagement just two months into 2005. Positive feeling towards the Royals was at a low, with many complaining of the cost of the Royal family - and saying they would never accept Camilla as Queen.

A moment of levity as the Queen treats everyone present to a winning smile
A moment of levity as the Queen treats everyone present to a winning smile

A moment of levity as the Queen treats everyone present to a winning smile

Salacious rumours surrounding the affairs of Diana, Princess of Wales would not die, and Paul Burrell's continuing presence served only to fuel their flames. Video footage showing Diana criticising Charles had recently been aired in the U.S. The Liberal Democrats had recently called for a referendum to 'axe the Queen.'

Perhaps, during some of those pensive moments, the Queen was reflecting on the issues she and the other Royals faced during this tumultuous time - and how she could shift public opinion.

Of his portrait, Levine says: 'When word came back from the Palace that Her Majesty 'was tickled by the idea of being made into a hologram' things got serious and a date was put in the diary for the shoot.

'When I initially got the call for the commission, I thought it was someone playing games. It seemed so far-fetched and hard to believe that, until an official date was set, I told myself that shouldn't get too attached to the idea because I imagined it would all fall through.

'It was of course a great privilege and honour to be selected and it was a commission I put my heart and soul into. I couldn't have imagined the success of the work today.'

Levine is now set to release a commeorative holographic poster of the work in time for the Diamond Jubilee.

The Queen, captured in a pensive moment between shots
The Queen, captured in a pensive moment between shots

The Queen, captured in a pensive moment between shots, and right, in the white ermine-trimmed garment she ultimately wears in the resulting portrait

The Queen wore a variety of lavish clothing for the shoot, including regal velvet cloaks and, of course, her crown
The Queen's personal assistant Angela Kelly helps the Queen with her velvet cloak

The Queen wore a variety of lavish clothing for the shoot, including regal velvet cloaks and, of course, her crown. Right, Angela Kelly helps the Queen with her cloak

Looking relaxed, the Queen seems to be comfortable with the production going on around her
Looking relaxed, the Queen seems to be comfortable with the production going on around her

Experienced with the constant gaze upon her, the Queen seems to be comfortable with the production going on in the room

Levine, who produced holographic portraits and a light-up version from the photographs, played with the lighting to allow him to create the necessary holographic effect later
Levine, who produced holographic portraits and a light-up version from the photographs, played with the lighting on the shoot to allow him to create the necessary holographic effect later

Levine, who produced holographic portraits and a light-up version from the photographs, played with the lighting on the shoot to allow him to create the necessary holographic effect later

To create the over-life-size three-dimensional portrait, Chris Levine took over 10,000 images and 3D data-sets of Her Majesty during two sittings at Buckingham Palace
To create the over-life-size three-dimensional portrait, Chris Levine took over 10,000 images and 3D data-sets of Her Majesty during two sittings at Buckingham Palace

To create the over-life-size three-dimensional portrait, Chris Levine took over 10,000 images and 3D data-sets of Her Majesty during two sittings at Buckingham Palace. The final hologram is mounted in glass and illuminated by a strip of blue LEDs

Levine's shoot was highly technical, necessitating hours of preparation to achieve the necessary number of portraits to create the 3D image
Levine's shoot was highly technical, necessitating hours of preparation to achieve the necessary number of portraits to create the 3D image
Levine's shoot was highly technical, necessitating hours of preparation to achieve the necessary number of portraits to create the 3D image

Levine's shoot was highly technical, necessitating hours of preparation to achieve the necessary number of portraits to create the 3D image

The Queen's loyal assistant, designer and personal dresser Angela Kelly has worked for Her Majesty since 2002
The Queen's loyal assistant, designer and personal dresser Angela Kelly has worked for Her Majesty since 2002

The Queen's loyal assistant, designer and personal dresser Angela Kelly has worked for Her Majesty since 2002

A body of work was shot at Buckingham Palace over two sittings and the title works, Equanimity and Lightness of Being, have been widely acclaimed worldwide
Artist Chris Levine and Her Majesty's PA Angela Kelly tend to the Queen between shots

A body of work was shot at Buckingham Palace over two sittings and the title works, Equanimity and Lightness of Being, have been widely acclaimed worldwide. Here, the artist Chris Levine, in purple shirt, talks to the Queen

Shooting with a fresh eye, Levine took photos of the Queen from unexpected angles
Shooting with a fresh eye, Levine took photos of the Queen from unexpected angles

Shooting with a fresh eye, Levine took photos of the Queen from unexpected angles - in profile, and even of her crossed ankles

The Queen waits patiently during what must have been a very long shoot
The Queen waits patiently during what must have been a very long shoot
The Queen waits patiently during what must have been a very long shoot

The Queen waits patiently during what must have been a very long shoot

The highly technical set up involved a green screen set up in Buckingham Palace, and coils of wires snaking everywhere

The highly technical set up involved a green screen set up in Buckingham Palace, and coils of wires snaking everywhere

Chris Levine with his work, Equanimity, the first holographic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The hologram, set in glass, mounted on granite and illuminated by a strip of blue LEDs

Chris Levine with his work, Equanimity, the first holographic portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. The hologram, set in glass, mounted on granite and illuminated by a strip of blue LEDs

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

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


 

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"Why dont you do some work instead of just leaching about...?" Bemoans jb, Glasgow, 18/4/2012 13:44............................................................ I think the chances of you doing some work could be tattooed on a gnat's wing with a poker. - Jen, Cumbria uk, 19/4/2012 08:00------------ Ironic...

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"Why dont you do some work instead of just leaching about...?" Bemoans jb, Glasgow, 18/4/2012 13:44. 'Leaching?' What does that mean? According to my thesaurus it means to remove the soluble constituents by subjecting them to the action of percolating water or other liquid. My suggestion to you would be, "Why don't you start by learning some English..!! - Rob da Banque, Rue de Remarques (ok, BRIGHTON & HOVE, actually), 19/4/2012 4:55--------- Typical british attitude focus on the meaningless outersurface and ignore the proper content for a cheap one up....get back on thesaurus.com and have a look at colloquialisms.

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''jb,Glasgow 13:44''---She's 85, you fool, exactly what kind of work would you expect her to do? - dee, leeds,England, 18/4/2012 22:14----------- Perhaps for a start delegate some meaningful duties to her more able bodied relatives...however if she is not fit for the job then stand down, thats not an excuse if you chose to hold your position...YOU fool!!!

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"Why dont you do some work instead of just leaching about...?" Bemoans jb, Glasgow, 18/4/2012 13:44............................................................ I think the chances of you doing some work could be tattooed on a gnat's wing with a poker.

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"Why dont you do some work instead of just leaching about...?" Bemoans jb, Glasgow, 18/4/2012 13:44. 'Leaching?' What does that mean? According to my thesaurus it means to remove the soluble constituents by subjecting them to the action of percolating water or other liquid. My suggestion to you would be, "Why don't you start by learning some English..!!

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@ Why would you assume that? They could have been diplomatic gifts - that's the sort of gift a head of state would receive. They've probably been there for years. - Anon, Anon, 18/4/2012 1:00 Because the British Empire raided and stole loads of things from countries around the world including China. Fair point though in that it could have been a gift but we don't know. Just seems a bit dodgy. - Tony, UK, 18/4/2012 22:54................ And of course the British Empire was ALL BAD and did nothing GOOD for the countries around the world !

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...makes sense that she should like clear nail polish since she wears so many colors. Who's got the Warrant? ...or are One's nails manicured and buffed only???

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Why would you assume that? They could have been diplomatic gifts - that's the sort of gift a head of state would receive. They've probably been there for years. - Anon, Anon, 18/4/2012 1:00 Because the British Empire raided and stole loads of things from countries around the world including China. Fair point though in that it could have been a gift but we don't know. Just seems a bit dodgy.

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''jb,Glasgow 13:44''---She's 85, you fool, exactly what kind of work would you expect her to do?

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God save our wonderful queen.

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