This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Queen Elizabeth II Gets Upstaged By Her Adorable Dogs

Meet Holly, Willow, Vulcan, Candy and, oh right, Queen Elizabeth II.
Annie Leibovitz exclusively for Vanity Fair

Royal enthusiasts spent the better part of April and May celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday. There were parties, at least one stunning cake and, of course, plenty of pups.

All that excitement has culminated in yet another swoon-worthy event: The queen and two each of her corgis and dorgis (a mixed breed the mag says the queen engineered when one of her dogs "mated with a dachshund that belonged to her sister, Princess Margaret") are Vanity Fair's Summer 2016 cover stars.

Annie Leibovitz exclusively for Vanity Fair

Annie Leibovitz shot the iconic cover image of the queen with canine stars Holly, Willow, Vulcan, and Candy, along with a set of additional photos released in April. Among them are images of the monarch alongside her daughter Princess Anne, one with her husband of 69 years, Prince Philip, and another of the queen on the steps of Windsor Castle with some of the beloved Corgis and Dorgis she's been breeding since 1949.

The royal family released another commemorative portrait of the queen and Prince Philip, also taken by Leibovitz, on June 10 to make her majesty's official birthday celebration.

The issue, which hits newsstands June 2, promises an extensive look at the queen's life, including commentary from a royal biographer and even one of her former secretaries.

We'll be swooning hard over this gorgeous image until then.

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.