The Queen paid a touching tribute to her late father, whose death began the start of her reign, when she viewed Jubilee memorabilia as she prepares to reach her historic 70 years on the throne.

Her aquamarine and diamond clip brooches, worn separately in a diagonal setting on her turquoise dress, were an 18th birthday present from her beloved “Papa”, George VI, in April 1944.

The two art deco-style pieces were made by Boucheron from baguette, oval and round diamonds and aquamarines.

The Queen was pictured looking at her Platinum Jubilee cards and memorabilia from the Golden Jubilee in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle.

She also chose to wear the precious brooches when she addressed the nation on the 75th anniversary of VE Day in 2020 and for her Diamond Jubilee televised speech in 2012.

Elizabeth II came to the throne 70 years ago this Sunday when, on February 6 1952, the ailing king, who had lung cancer, died at Sandringham in the early hours.

Royalty – Royal Tour of South Africa
King George VI with his daughter Princess Elizabeth during a visit to Natal National Park in South Africa in 1947 (PA)

At the time, the monarch, now 95, was in Kenya on a Commonwealth tour with the Duke of Edinburgh.

They had spent the previous night at the remote Treetops Hotel, accessible via a ladder, in Aberdare Forest, where they watched baboons in the jungle and took photographs of the sunrise.

The Queen, who is staying on the Sandringham estate, usually spends each Accession Day privately, reflecting on the bittersweet anniversary of the loss of her father and the start of her reign.

Close to her father as a child, Elizabeth is said to be similar to him in character, sharing the same dedicated professionalism.

Royalty – Coronation Concert for Children – Central Hall, Westminister
Queen Elizabeth and King George VI with their daughters Princesses Elizabeth, second from right, and Margaret in 1937 (PA)

“Bertie”, as he was known to his family, became king in 1936 after the abdication crisis sparked by his brother Edward VIII, who gave up the throne over his love affair with divorced American socialite Wallis Simpson.

Faced with the challenge of restoring the public’s faith in the monarchy, George VI emerged as a steadfast figurehead for the nation during the Second World War.