Queen Elizabeth turns cover girl for Vanity Fair

The Queen attending a recent parade to mark 300 years of the Royal Artillery. Photo / Getty

Her Majesty, and her four beloved corgi's, are the latest stars to grace the cover of glamorous magazine Vanity Fair.

In the relaxed portrait, shot by well-known fashion photographer Anne Leibovitz, the Queen is sitting in front of a rose bush at Windsor Castle, surrounded by her dogs Willow, Vulcan, Candy and Holly.

The Queen was photographed as part of her 90th birthday celebrations. Photo / Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair

It's the second time the Queen has appeared as cover girl, and the magazine's summer issue is due to hit the shelves in the UK at the end of the week.

The image is part of a series of photos taken by Liebovitz to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday in April.

Other photos include the monarch walking her dogs through the palace gardens, and posing with the youngest members of the royal family.

Liebovitz told Vanity Fair that Windsor Castle was the perfect setting for the photo shoot, as that was where the Queen felt most relaxed.

"She wanted to be photographed with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh; her daughter, Anne, the Princess Royal; and her corgis," she said.

"I was told how relaxed she was at Windsor, and it was really true. You get the sense of how at peace she was with herself, and very much enthralled with her family."

The last time the Queen graced the cover was in June 2007, which was also shot by
Liebovitz.

Other stars featured in the magazine over the years include Brad Pitt, Demi Moore, Kate Moss and Princess Diana, who appeared on the cover just two months before her death.

-nzherald.co.nz