Photo is fit for a queen (From The Oxford Times)

Photo is fit for a queen

8:10am Friday 3rd February 2012 in Wallingford

AN Oxford Mail photo showing the Queen smiling on her visit to RAF Benson is one of 60 images chronicling Her Majesty’s 60 years as monarch.

The pictures, on show at a new exhibition at Windsor Castle, capture the sovereign at relaxed family gatherings, exotic locations around the world and formal public events.

The photo above, taken by former staff photographer John Lawrence, shows the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during a visit to the helicopter base near Wallingford on June 12, 1989.

The base, celebrating its 50th anniversary, was selected as the venue for the presentation of the Colour to the Royal Auxiliary Air Force by the Queen, the Air Commodore-in-Chief.

RAF Benson spokesman Flt Lt Barry Robinson said: “It’s a great honour to be associated with the Queen and represented in this way at the exhibition.”

In 1946 the base became the home of royal flying and the Queen’s Flight was located there until 1995, when it moved to RAF Northolt.

During the Queen’s reign, 12 British Prime Ministers and 12 US Presidents have held office.

A photograph of her meeting one of America’s most celebrated leaders, John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in 1961 at Buckingham Palace, is featured at the exhibition.

Another image captures the moment the Queen went riding with US President Ronald Reagan in Home Park, Windsor, in 1982 during his stay at the Castle.

And a striking photograph from 2005 captures the Queen and former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher in silhouette on the Queen’s arrival at the ex-politician’s 80th birthday celebrations.

The Queen’s love of animals, particularly her famous corgis, is also well documented.

The exhibition, entitled Queen: 60 Photographs for 60 Years, will open at Windsor Castle tomorrow and runs until October 28.