Richard Stone

We celebrate today the centenary of the birth of Queen Elizabeth II. I painted this portrait of Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. It was unveiled in 1992 at the National Portrait Gallery London. A great monarch, hugely respected and much loved. A truly remarkable lady.

Wishing His Majesty The King many happy returns of the day. My portrait of him was used on this beautiful enamel box, produced by Halcyon Days to celebrate an earlier birthday. #HalcyonDays

Today is #WorldOperaDay. I am remembering the great Dame Joan Sutherland. I painted her portrait at her home in Switzerland in 2001. Glorious voice, perfectly lovely lady.

Remembering Margaret Thatcher, who was born #OnThisDay in 1925. I was commissioned to paint her portrait to hang permanently in No 10 Downing Street.

The great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti, was born #OnThisDay in 1935. It was a true honour to be asked to paint his portrait. Hardly a day goes past without me listening to one of his recordings in the studio. His wonderful voice is as important to me as my paints and brushes.

Remembering.

Not all great sitters are human. #internationaldogday2025

Wishing HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester a very happy birthday. This oil sketch was painted at Kensington Palace for a full-size portrait, commissioned by the Royal Army Medical Corps.

Today would have been HRH Princess Margaret's 95th birthday. This little study was painted at Kensington Palace in 1981.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was born on this day in 1900. I painted this portrait at Clarence House in 1986. Lovely memories of a wonderful lady.

Remembering the great Nelson Mandela on #MandelaDay2025. I was very privileged to be asked by him to paint his portrait at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg in 2008.

Wishing HRH Prince Michael of Kent a very happy 83rd birthday. His portrait was commissioned by the Institute of the Motor Industry to celebrate his appointment as President. Sittings took place at Kensington Palace in 1990.

Remembering HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, born #OnThisDay in 1921. This pencil drawing was a preliminary work for the commission to paint his portrait for the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators in 2002. Drawn from sittings at Buckingham Palace.

#OnThisDay in 1979, Margaret Thatcher became the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This official portrait was commissioned from me for No 10 Downing Street.

#OnThisDay remembering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on what would have been her 99th birthday. A very great lady. It was my honour to have painted her portrait several times.

Wishing HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh a very happy birthday. My oil sketch was painted in 2006 from sittings at Bagshot Park as preparatory work for an official portrait commissioned by Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

Wishing His Majesty The King a very happy birthday today. This little sketch was completed during a sitting at Clarence House in 2009.

Remembering Margaret Thatcher, who was born #onthisday in 1925. Her portrait was commissioned from me in 2009 by the then PM Gordon Brown, to hang permanently in 10 Downing Street.

Remembering.

Wishing HRH Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester a very happy birthday. This oil sketch was painted at Kensington Palace for a full-size portrait, commissioned by the Royal Army Medical Corps.