Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is a series of four screenprints by Andy Warhol, published in 1985 as part of the artist’s larger Reigning Queens portfolio. The suite includes Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom 334, 335, 336, and 337 (FS II.334–337). Collectors commonly refer to the four versions by their dominant colors: red, purple, pink, and blue.
Warhol’s Inspiration and Process
Warhol based the portraits on a 1975 photograph of Queen Elizabeth II by Peter Grugeon, taken at Windsor Castle. The same image was later used for Her Majesty’s Silver Jubilee in 1977. In the photograph, The Queen wears the Vladimir tiara, Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee necklace, Queen Alexandra’s wedding earrings, and King George VI’s Family Order pinned to the Garter sash. Warhol’s transformation of this formal portrait into Pop Art reimagines monarchy through a modern, commercial lens. Each print radiates color, light, and personality, highlighting The Queen as both sovereign and cultural icon.
Royal Endorsement and Legacy
Queen Elizabeth II remains one of the most recognized figures in modern history. She reigned from February 1952 until her passing in 2022, becoming the longest-ruling monarch in British history. Moreover, her public image combined duty, longevity, and grace. In 1982, Warhol requested permission to create her portrait. Her secretary, Sir William Heseltine, replied diplomatically that while The Queen would not obstruct the project, she would “not dream of offering any comment on this idea.” Consequently, Warhol took this as approval and began his series using the official royal photograph.
Warhol produced 40 regular editions of the Queen Elizabeth II prints, along with 10 artist proofs, five printer’s proofs, and three hors de commerce editions. He also created 30 “Royal Editions,” enhanced with finely crushed glass that shimmered under light. In 1985, Warhol’s European dealer, George Mulder, sent photographs of the finished portraits to Buckingham Palace. Heseltine’s response noted that “Her Majesty was most pleased and interested to see them.” These prints later gained unique distinction when the Royal Collection purchased four of the “Royal Editions” to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s coronation in 2013. Notably, they are the only portraits in the Royal Collection that The Queen did not sit for directly.
Color, Symbolism, and Artistic Significance
Warhol’s Queen Elizabeth II prints reinterpret royal iconography through bold Pop Art aesthetics. Each portrait balances reverence with reinvention. The vivid red, purple, pink, and blue backgrounds elevate the monarch’s image from formality to fascination. For example, the pink portrait evokes youth and femininity, while the purple version leans into traditional associations with power and nobility. One striking version colors The Queen’s skin a cool turquoise, suggesting the layered identity of a ruler seen through multiple cultural lenses.
Additionally, the “Royal Edition” works—sparkling with diamond dust—underscore the connection between luxury, celebrity, and legacy. The crystalline texture recalls the brilliance of jewels and the timeless allure of monarchy. Moreover, these variations created further excitement among collectors, since each colorway offered a unique interpretation of Britain’s most enduring symbol. Through this portfolio, Warhol combined two distinct forms of fame: royal and Pop. His portraits immortalize not just a ruler, but the very idea of celebrity as a modern crown.
Ultimately, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom captures Warhol’s fascination with icons who transcend their origins. The series remains one of his most sought-after works, representing both artistic innovation and historical reverence.
Photo Credits:
- Official Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, 1975 © Peter Grugeon; Camera Press. On loan from American Friends of the National Portrait Gallery (London) Foundation, Inc. Gift of Mr. Ford Hill.
- Andy Warhol holding print of Queen Elizabeth. Photo by Derek Hudson. Courtesy of Getty Images.
