GREAT BRITAIN: The Queen’s Neck

Queen Elizabeth II’s features, long since decorative, began a career of empire. New stamps bearing her likeness went on sale in Britain’s post offices, and a graceful low relief of the royal head was accepted as the official design of Britain’s new coinage by a royal committee headed by the Duke of Edinburgh (see cut).

The decision was final and official. Philip himself was said to have been especially pleased at the girlish look of his wife in the design on the coin, and the stamp portrait (taken from a recent photograph) was specially chosen, according to Postmaster General Earl de la Warr, “to indicate our pride in having a young Queen.” But all this did not prevent Britain’s man (and woman) in the street from exercising his ancient prerogative of free criticism.

Most of the darts were aimed at the prizewinning coin design by 71-year-old Sculptress Mary Gillick. “Absurd to do that with the poor girl,” sniffed one Londoner of Mrs. Gillick’s work. “Made her look like a schoolgirl and she’s really quite regal.” Others objected to the sculptured royal nose and the laurel-wreathed, bun-backed hairdo. “Not a good likeness, as far as I can judge,” humphed famed non-likeness-making Sculptor Epstein. “Look what they’ve done to our Queen,” piped one shrill critic. “Made her neck too long.” “I should say,” said another sculptor whose own design had been rejected in the competition, “that the Queen has been cast too young, but as to the long neck—I took measurements. The Queen has a long neck.”