Queen Elizabeth's baby photos

Apr 21, 2010, 12:23 GMT

Baby photographs of Britain's Queen Elizabeth have been released to mark her birthday.

The monarch - who turns 84 today (21.04.10) - has allowed the 56 pictures which were taken of her as a toddler by the renowned photographer Marcus Adams to be used as part of an exhibition of his work.

The royal is pictured barefoot in a white dress, with her parents, the then-Duke and Duchess of York, later George VI and Queen Elizabeth, as well as her nanny Clara Knight by her side.

The photos were taken so they could be sent to her parents while they were on a six-month tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Among the images there is also a letter from the nanny, keeping the royal couple up-to-date with the landmarks of their young daughter's life.

It reads: "If Mummy looks into my wide open mouth with a little magnifying glass she will see my two teeth. Elizabeth is quite well and happy!"

Lisa Heighway, curator of the exhibition, said the pictures would have helped ease the queen's heartache at leaving her child.

She said: "At the time, it was expected that if members of the Royal family went away for long periods their children would be left at home, and no-one would make a fuss, whereas today it would probably be frowned upon."

The exhibition opens at Windsor Castle on Saturday (24.04.10).