The Telegraph offers a reminder of days when the British Monarchy was embattled and seeking ways to reform its image. Cecil Beaton, the famous fashion photographer of his day, played an important role:

Susanna Brown, the curator of photographs at the V&A, which is staging a major exhibition of Beaton’s royal portraits, describes the importance of the shoot: “After the huge crisis of the abdication, this was about reaffirming the position and continuity of the monarchy. He presents theQueen as an exquisite fairy-tale figure.” That first sitting with the Queen Mother, and the rapport between them, was crucial in establishing Beaton as a favoured royal photographer for the next 40 years. “They had an instant chemistry and she became his champion,” says Brown.

How Cecil Beaton Helped Save the Queen (Telegraph)