National Museums Liverpool Blog - The Queen

We'll we've told you what things you can see to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee, now let us tell you what you might do!

You don't have to travel all the way to London to join the party. At the Walker Art Gallery we have a crown-making workshops 2 June to Tuesday 5 June, between 10 am and 4 pm

One young visitor getting swept up in the royal celebrations!

The Lady Lever Art Gallery and Museum of Liverpool also enjoy treating their visitors like royalty and will also be hosting crown-making workshops on 4 and 5 June.

For those who prefer to leave crown-wearing to the experts there is a flag-making workshop at the Lady Lever Art Gallery and Sudley House on Saturday 2 June between 1 pm and 4 pm. Visitors to Sudley can also leave a special message of congratulations which we will send to the Queen (by Royal Mail of course!)

Delicious Smoked Anglesey mackerel is on the menu at Merseyside Maritime Museum, which is hosting lunch fit for a Queen in its Maritime Dining Rooms! The full Royal menu, enjoyed by Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh on their recent visit, is available to the public from today until Tuesday 5 June. To book call 0151 478 4056.

There are dozens of free family events across the bank holidays and the rest of half term. Check the website for details.

As it's the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this weekend it seems fitting to pause regally to celebrate some of our favourite royal gems from the Walker Art Gallery...

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - An 80th Birthday Portrait by Rolf Harris

© Rolf Harris Enterprises Ltd

This contemporary painting is on display until 12 August 2012, as part of our Rolf Harris exhibition 'Can you tell what it is yet?'. This painting shows Queen Elizabeth II on her 80th birthday, which she celebrated in 2006. Rolf shows a relaxed side of The Queen, who smiles broadly in this colourful painting. 

Find out more about 'Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - An 80th Birthday Portrait by Rolf Harris'.

'Queen Elizabeth 1, The Pelican Portrait', Nicholas Hilliard

So called because she is wearing a pelican brooch, this painting portrays Queen Elizabeth I almost as a religious icon, in stunning and ornate detail. 

Learn more about 'Queen Elizabeth 1, The Pelican Portrait'

Portrait of Henry VIII, by unknown artist, after Hans Holbein

One of our most famous paintings is a portrait of Henry VIII, designed to strike terror into the hearts of his subjects! It depicts a rich and powerful Henry showing off his strength and authority. It was based on an original mural - the Whitehall Mural, painted by Hans Holbein in 1537, which was destroyed in a fire in 1698.

Find out more about this portrait of Henry VIII