Is it a good likeness, Ma'am? The Queen unveils a bronze bust of herself by Margaret Thatcher's sculptor on a visit to the Honourable Artillery Company

The Queen came face to face with herself today as she unveiled a bronze bust of her own image.

Her Majesty visited the Honourable Artillery Company in London to mark becoming the longest serving Captain-General of the Company.

While royals including Prince Michael of Kent and his wife Princess Michael of Kent attended the unveiling, the Queen met the bust's sculptor Antony Dufort, who has also created busts of other public figures including Margaret Thatcher and Cardinal Hume.

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The Queen came face to face with herself today as she unveiled an Antony Dufort sculpture for the Honourable Artillery Company in London

The Queen attends the unveiling of her sculpture marking role as longest serving Captain-General of the Honourable Artillery Company in London

The Queen took time to admire the bust by sculptor, Antony Dufort, erhaps judging if it was a good likeness

Her Majesty was greeted by the Colonel Commandant, General Sir Richard Barrons, as well as members of the Honourable Artillery Company and cadets.

She looked elegant in a blue coat over a white dress with a blue flower print and matching hat, that also matched the blue cloth whisked off the bronze to reveal the work.

The sculpture herself captures the monarch in eveningwear with a sash over her shoulder and the insignia of the Order of the Garter.

She is wearing Queen Alexandra's Kokoshnik Tiara, which is also known as her Russian fringe tiara, a diamond headpiece that's part of the Queen's collection that she hasn't showcased in many years.

The Honourable Artillery Company has a long and storied history since it was incorporated by a Royal Charter of Henry VIII on 25 August 1537. 

The Charter describes its purpose as being 'for the better defence of this realm and maintenance of the science of artillery'.

Her Majesty beamed as a bronze bust of herself was unveiled to mark her becoming the longest serving Captain-General of the Company 

The bronze bust by sculptor Antony Dufort was designed to mark the Queen's 64 years as head of the company

The Queen greeted the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, who wore a pillar-box red coat for the occasion

Princess Michael of Kent, who wore an elegant white hat, looked happy to see the monarch

The Company, which today has 2,5000 members, was registered as a charity in 1964 'for military exercise and training and for the better defence of the realm.'

Its captain-generals have always been members of the Royal Family, and most recently the reigning monarch. 

This year it is marking the fact that Her Majesty has become the longest serving Captain-General, surpassing King George IV on May 22, 2016.

The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent were also present at the reception and were pictured greeting the Queen. 

The Prince of Kent was made made Regimental Colonel of the Honourable Artillery Company in 2009 and their Royal Honorary Colonel in 2012  

Princess Michael of Kent took a closer look at the bronze bust of the Queen, as military officials look on 

The Princess Michael of Kent wore a pillar-box red coat for the occasion with a white dress underneath, accessorised with an elegant white hat.

The Prince of Kent was made made Regimental Colonel of the Honourable Artillery Company in 2009 and their Royal Honorary Colonel in 2012.

Based near the City of London, the Territorial Army unit is best known for firing gun salutes near the Tower of London to mark major royal and state occasions.

The Queen attended the reception without the Duke of Edinburgh, following the private audience with Germany's president Joachim Gauck earlier on in the day

The Queen sat in a red leather chair to listen to a speech in the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Company

The monarch spoke to members of the Honourable Artillery Company at this afternoon's reception 

Around 400 of its 2,500 members are active members of the Army Reserve.

This is not the first time the royal has seen Antony Dufort's work up close.

In 2012, she attended the presentation of a bronze plaque commissioned by the London borough of Mertern. 

The plaque represented Nicholas Breakespeare, later Pope Adrian IV, and Thomas Becket, both pupils at Merton Priory in the early 12th century and King Henry III. 

He held the first English Parliament at Merton in 1536 resulting in The Statute of Merton, the first Statute on the Statute Book.

She also spoke to a pikeman, who is part of the ceremonial unit of the Company. The unit is best known for firing gun salutes near the Tower of London to mark major royal and state occasions

Antony Dufort cast a 7ft 6in bronze statue of Baroness Thatcher in 2007 making it the first time a living ex-Prime Minister was honoured in such a way in the Commons

The unveiling was not the Queen's first engagement of the day, however.

Despite reluctantly pulling out of yesterday's commemorations marking the Battle of Jutland in Orkney following medical advice, Prince Philip, 94, joined his wife at a private audience with Germany's president Joachim Gauck at Buckingham Palace. 

The smiling Duke, in a smart dark suit and green and navy striped tie, shook hands Mr Gauck and stood with his hands behind his back as the monarch chatted to her guest.

Prince Philip shakes hands with the president of Germany Joachim Gauck

Prince Philip, 94, had clearly put the disappointment of being forced to pull out of the Battle of Jutland commemorations in Orkney behind him as he joined his wife to greet foreign dignitaries at Buckingham Palace

The Queen also received the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Mr Joonkook Hwang.

Ant although the weather outside may have more than a hint of winter about it, the monarch looked delightfully summery in a cream dress with a pink floral pattern.

Equally vibrant was Mrs Shil Rhee, wife of the Korean ambassador who wore traditional dress in pink and yellow.

Her husband was resplendent in mint green as he passed his credentials to the Queen during the private audience. 

Mr Joonkook Hwang, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, presents his credential to the Queen 

The monarch greets Mrs Shil Rhee, wife of the Korean ambassador, who was colourful in traditional dress 

The ambassador's presentation of his credentials marks the official start of his role 

The presentation marks the official start of the role for every ambassador, who in accordance with tradition arrives at Buckingham Palace for a 200-minute audience in the 1844 room. 

Prince Philip flew home to London from Balmoral with the Queen on Tuesday after missing the wartime commemorations in Orkney.

The Duke's son-in-law, Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence - who is married to the Princess Royal, described Philip as having had a minor ailment and said it would have been unwise for him to stand at the windswept ceremony for a long period of time.

Philip is understood to have no plans to cancel any other forthcoming engagements, and has not attended hospital. 

A statement from a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: 'Following doctor's advice, the Duke of Edinburgh has reluctantly decided not to attend the commemorations marking the Battle of Jutland tomorrow in Kirkwall and Hoy.

The 500-mile journey from London to Orkney would have taken Philip around an hour and a half by plane, as well as extra travel to and from the airports.