Marking the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, the Royal Mail has released a set of six portrait stamps.

The Royal Mail, who has done a painting of Prince William and Harry in 2009, specially commissioned the new portrait of the queen. According to the BBC, Nicky Philipps finished the painting last year in Buckingham Palace. The full portrait also has the queen’s Corgis dog.

“The Queen’s image is one of the most recognizable in the world and we are delighted to bring this portrait, along with five other, together in a special stamp set to mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation,” said Royal Mail chief executive Moya Greene.

The portrait, however, has recently received negative reviews by the British media, according to ABC News. One critic described the queen looking like a man with earrings.

The negative remarks follow the criticism from Kate Middleton’s official portrait, which was revealed in January.

Despite the backlash, the queen approved the portrait and the stamps were released on May 30th. From June 5-28th, the public can view the painting at the Fine Art Commissions gallery in London.
Photo courtesy of Twitpic