The Queen wears statement pearls for the official Platinum Jubilee portrait as she shares a special message

The Queen wore her statement pearls for the official Platinum Jubilee portrait, taken by photographer Ranald Mackechnie - and released on the eve of the Jubilee weekend.

• The Queen is a big fan of pearls and was given a three-string pearl necklace by her father when she was a young girl
• The Monarch also wore a baby blue dress made by one of her favourite designers Angela Kelly
• In more royal news, this is the sad reason it took so long for Elizabeth to be crowned 70 years ago

The Queen celebrated the start of the Platinum Jubilee weekend by sharing a special message with the world while wearing her statement pearl necklace in a new portrait to celebrate 70 years on the throne.

As all eyes will be glued to the Platinum Jubilee on TV this bank holiday weekend and royals fans were delighted to see the new portrait and read the sweet note from her Majesty, as she shared her hopes for the next few days.

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022 will be a momentous occasion for the whole royal family, as they celebrate 70 years of reign from Queen Elizabeth II - while the first celebration came with this portrait of the Queen looking happy and stylish at  Windsor Castle - the historic building that the Queen calls home.

The photo sees the Queen smiling with the famous Round Tower visible behind her, while she paired her famous pearls with a blue dress and matching coat for the occasion. The coat, by designer Angela Kelly is made of wool Charmelaine and has pearl and diamante scalloped beading on the collar down the front trim. 

Celebrity stylist Donna Taylor says that her style is both a statement piece and delicate, without being too showy, "It is a classic and tailored look with a nod to the Platinum Jubilee theme through the use of the soft blue and white colour palette which in turn, flatters her own, cooler colouring."

The Queen also released a sweet message to the nation starting with, "Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth."

She went on to add, “I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions. I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm.”

The Queen's Jubilee history will begin its celebrations today -  with an official Trooping the Color parade and another iconic Buckingham Palace balcony appearance from the Royal Family. Though not everyone will be joining the monarch there due to a recent decision. 

All eyes will be on the famous royal balcony, not just in a bid to see what the senior royals, such as Kate Middleton and Camilla will be wearing, but also if other certain royals will make an appearance - with a royal expert claiming that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will be axed from royal balcony wave.