Taking last public photos of the Queen was 'an honour and privilege'

Jane Barlow captured this portrait of the Queen as she waited for the new prime minister

Photographing the Queen was "an honour and a privilege", according to the photographer who took the last public photos of her.

PA Media photographer Jane Barlow captured the Queen meeting new Prime Minister Liz Truss on Tuesday, two days before she died.

Ms Barlow, who is from Belper in Derbyshire, has photographed the Queen on several occasions.

She said the Queen was "very smiley" as they spoke before Ms Truss arrived.

The Queen apparently talked about the weather and how dark it was, and was "frail" but in "good spirits".

Liz Truss was appointed at Balmoral Castle, in a break with tradition

Ms Barlow has worked for PA Media in Scotland for six years

"I was there to photograph her meeting the new prime minister but for me the best picture was the one of the Queen on her own. And it has obviously become more significant now," said Ms Barlow, who previously worked for the Derby Telegraph newspaper.

"I've had so many lovely comments about the picture.

"It's a real privilege to be able to take that picture, an honour and a privilege. It's like that for a lot of our job."

The Queen's right hand appeared to be bruised when she shook hands with the new prime minister

Ms Truss was then formally announced and came into the room, and Ms Barlow said the Queen "greeted her with a big smile".

The photo of the Queen shaking hands with Ms Truss sparked concerns about her health, because there appeared to be bruising on her right hand.

Ms Barlow photographed the Queen receiving Nicola Sturgeon during Holyrood Week on 29 June

"She certainly did look more frail than when I photographed her in the summer," Ms Barlow said.

"When she came up for Holyrood Week, at the time they were telling me she would do one, perhaps two engagements, but she did quite a lot that week."

That week saw Ms Barlow photograph the Queen as she had audiences with Nicola Sturgeon and Holyrood Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, and as she took part in a number of official engagements.

Ms Barlow said the Queen looked in better health when she photographed her in June

Ms Barlow also photographed the Queen during Holyrood Week in 2021

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