The first official photographic sitting with the new Queen was granted to the society photographer Dorothy Wilding. There were two sittings, the first one took place on 26 February 1952, just twenty days after the accession. A total of fifty-nine photographs were taken by Wilding, showing The Queen dressed in a variety of gowns designed by Norman Hartnell and wearing jewellery including the Diamond Diadem.

This particular pose, taken during the second sitting on 15 April, was used as the basis of The Queen's image on postage stamps from 1953 until 1971, as well as providing the official portrait of The Queen which was sent to every British embassy throughout the world.