Touching detail on Queen’s outfit in monarch’s final portrait

A beaming Queen Elizabeth II was seen in a beautiful final portrait released ahead of her funeral, and it featured a heartwarming detail.

A never before seen portrait of Queen Elizabeth II has been released ahead of her funeral.

The longest-serving monarch, who was 96 when she died “peacefully” on September 8, can be seen beaming in the rare photo, which was issued by Buckingham Palace on Monday.

Taken at Windsor Castle ahead of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in May, the portrait shows the Queen wearing a powder blue blouse, pearl earrings and matching necklace, and an eye-catching aquamarine brooch pinned on her shirt.

Buckingham Palace released the Queen’s final portrait ahead of her funeral.

The diamond encrusted brooch was one of the earliest pieces to be added to the Queen’s sprawling jewellery collection, and was given to her by her late father, King George VI, for her 18th birthday.

The former King of England, who died in 1952, gifted a then Princess Elizabeth with the accessory to mark her milestone birthday in April 1944.

The late monarch had only worn the brooch a handful of times over the years.

Made by French jewellery house Boucheron, the Queen wore the sentimental piece back in 2012 for her Diamond Jubilee, and again in 2020 on the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

George VI died of lung cancer when Elizabeth was just 25.

The father-and-daughter were famously close, which the Queen has made clear with her refusal to celebrate the anniversary of the date she ascended to the throne, which was on February 6, 1952.

Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) arrives at Westminster Abbey with her father King George VI, for her marriage to Philip. Picture: Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

A young Princess Elizabeth with her father, with whom she was very close with.

India Hicks, King Charles III’ second cousin, told Insider earlier this year that the date was “complicated” for Elizabeth.

“It may be the day that she became Queen, but it was also the day that her father died. She was very, very close to him,” Hicks said.

“You’re probably dealing with the mixed emotions there.”

Thus, it seems poignant the Queen would wear the brooch in what has proved to be her final official portrait.

The Royal Family posted the photo on Twitter, writing, “Ahead of Her Majesty The Queen’s Funeral, a new photograph has been released. It was taken this year to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, as she became the first British Monarch to reach this milestone. Millions will come together to commemorate her remarkable life.”

The Queen’s coffin will be moved from Westminster Hall to Westminster Abbey today. Picture: Yui Mok – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen’s funeral is taking place at Westminster Abbey in London today, before she will be buried in the royal vault at Windsor Castle.

Thousands of wellwishers are expected to attend the Queen’s state funeral, including world leaders, family and friends from her seven decades as a monarch.

Prominent among them will be the newly-crowned King Charles III and Queen consort Camilla. They will be joined by the Queen’s younger children, along with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Prince William, Catherine Middleton, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to show a united front for the event.