Queen’s cheeky four-word response to photographer who asked her to smile for him

Photographer Ranald Mackechnie has spoken of the Queen’s sense of humour when they met for an official portrait at Windsor Castle

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A photograph of Queen Elizabeth smiling which was released on the night of her funeral reveals the late monarch’s great wit.

Speaking on the Lorraine programme, photographer Ranald Mackechnie talked about the formerly unseen portrait which was taken in May at Windsor Castle before the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations the next month.

He recalled: “She arrived and walked in and we said hello, then she just looks at me and she goes, ‘What do you want?'”

“I said, ‘Well, I want you to smile and look happy.’

She looked back at me and she goes, ‘Well, you can’t make me.’ “

He continued, “I said, ‘Well, you could try,’ and she giggled.”

Mr Mackechnie added that the Queen had sat for numerous portraits over the years, and she “makes it easy” for the photographer.

She wore a blue outfit and her signature pearls – which were recently worn by Kate Middleton.

The whole ensemble made the monarch’s blue eyes sparkle as she smiled in the portrait.

In a recent BBC documentary, Camilla, the Queen Consort, paid tribute to the Queen, saying: “She’s got those wonderful blue eyes, that when she smiles they light up her whole face.

“I will always remember her smile. That smile is unforgettable.”

Mr Mackechnie was also behind the specially commissioned photograph released to mark the start of the Platinum Jubilee celebration weekend in June.

The portrait was taken in the Victoria Vestibule at Windsor Castle on May 25.

In the background, you can see the Castle’s Round Tower, and the statue of King Charles II, which stands in the Quadrangle of the Castle.

The Queen has had three Jubilee portraits in the past, and the Queen is considerably understated, pictured in a pale blue coatdress and her typical pearls.

On September 19, Queen Elizabeth’s family gathered for her state funeral, committal service and burial, after her death on September 8.

According to People magazine, a source close to the monarch said King Charles and his wife Queen Camilla “will show the nation that the monarchy is still offering stability and an example of service and duty”.

Additionally, Charles’ former press secretary Paddy Haverson claimed the would “apply himself 1,000 percent to the job at hand”.