The Snowdon photograph

In the early 1980s there was a move to replace the Machin head on definitives. When The Queen’s approval was sought by the Post Office, the reply came back from her Private Secretary:

“Before giving a definite reply to your proposal, however, The Queen would very much like to know who you had in mind to produce the new effigy. It is a difficult thing to do and Her Majesty is very content with the Machin effigy and thinks that a work of real quality is required if this is to be replaced.”

It was agreed that new photographs would be taken by Lord Snowdon. Under the supervision of Jeffery Matthews a number of artists were asked to produce portraits based on Snowdon's photographs.

Work continued for several years, as various designs featuring realistic portraits were essayed but none was regarded as suitable. Later, different versions of the Machin head were tried but again were not seen as either sufficiently different or an improvement.

The Snowdon photograph was, however, used on postal orders and banknotes, and as part of one of the stamps celebrating The Queen’s 60th birthday in 1986.