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Queen Elizabeth II: The Monarch Who Needed No Passport
18 Apr
Summary
- The Queen never possessed a passport, even with millions and castles.
- She humorously noted needing no passport photo during a sitting.
- Artist Chris Levine captured unseen images and detailed sittings.
Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away in 2022 at the age of 96, possessed vast wealth and numerous properties, yet notably never owned a passport. This fact was humorously highlighted during a portrait sitting with artist Chris Levine at Buckingham Palace in 2004.
As Levine prepared to take a 3D laser scan of the Queen, his assistant likened the process to a passport photo. The Queen responded with a smile, "One doesn't need a passport photo." Levine captured this moment with a handheld camera, releasing the image years later alongside other unseen passport-style photos.
Levine had two sittings with the Queen, resulting in celebrated holographic portraits. He noted the unique experience of working with the Queen's dresser, Angela Kelly, and even secured the coronation diadem for one sitting, despite initial security concerns.
The British monarchy operates under the understanding that the Sovereign does not require a passport for international travel, as official documents are issued in the monarch's name.
