THE Queen had a broad smile on her facing after seeing an East Lancashire artist's new portrait of her for the first time today.

Isobel Peachey's painting now hangs in the grand hall of the new luxury cruise ship the Queen Elizabeth which the monarch officially named.

Ms Peachey, who was brought up in Sabden, attended the event in Southampton and got to spend several minutes speaking to the Queen.

Details of the conversation were kept private, but the Queen could be seen wearing a broad smile while chatting about the portrait.

Ms Peachey visited Buckingham Palace for three hour-long sittings last year.

The painting shows the Queen sat in an ornate chair in the yellow drawing room at the palace.

She wore the same diamond necklace and earrings that she wore for her Coronation.

Ms Peachey, believed to be the youngest woman commissioned to paint the monarch, said the Queen was 'gracious, warm and friendly'.

She said: "It was a truly wonderful experience."

The artist was born in Burnley and lived in Sabden until the age of 16, attending St. Augustine's RC High School, Billington, when her family moved to London.

She studied art at both Chelsea Art School and Wimbledon Art School before completing a number of courses at The Prince's Drawing School, founded by the Prince of Wales.

Last year she was named the winner of the BP Portrait Award's Travel category after painting a portrait of her friend Ruth Edwards.

She is described as a rising star of the art world.

At the ceremony, the Queen spoke the familiar vessel-launching words, requesting God to bless the vessel 'and all who sail in her'.

* Click on the link below for news and photos from the Queen's visit to Southampton from our sister paper, the Daily Echo.