People From This Country Are Legally Entitled To A Free Portrait Of Queen Elizabeth

With one simple email, all Aussies can acquire a free portrait of Her Majesty The Queen – which will undeniably have pride of place on any living room wall.

It’s recently been revealed that there’s a federal program in Australia that allows residents to receive free ‘nationhood material’, which includes flags, national anthem recordings and a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Keep reading to learn how you can get your hands on these goodies.

Here’s what you need to know about the Constituents’ Request Program

If you asked any Australian citizen about the Constituents’ Request Program, there wouldn’t be many who could tell you what it is. But it is in fact part of the Federal Government’s Department of Finance’s Ministerial and Parliamentary Services. Under the Parliamentary Entitles Act 1990, Australian Members of Parliament (MPs) can supply their constituents with flags and specific nationhood documents on request (and when the budget allows, large flags).

There are three flag designs available in various sizes, from tiny desktop ones to grand, flagpole-sized behemoths. These include the National, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flags. Nationhood material relates to booklets on the various flags of Australia, booklets on national symbols, national anthem DVD and CD recordings (remember that for Christmas), and royal portraits. Australian residents can choose between a portrait of just Her Majesty The Queen, or Queen Elizabeth II with His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh.

A look at the Queen’s portrait

If you’re wondering what to expect, the available portrait of Queen Elizabeth II is designed specifically for Australian residents. Her lapel pin features the Australian coat of arms and she’s wearing the wattle brooch which former Prime Minister Robert Menzies gifted to her on her first royal visit to Australia in 1954. She’s also wearing the sapphire necklace and tiara her father gave her as a wedding present in 1947. In her portrait with The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen is seated and wearing the same pin but different jewels. The Duke is standing in his military uniform.

How to get your own portrait

If you’re an Australian resident, email your local MP for your very own Queen Elizabeth II portrait. In the United Kingdom, framed royal portraits are available, but residents unfortunately have to pay for them. Meanwhile in Canada, portraits can be downloaded. As for other Commonwealth countries, it seems official portraits aren’t (yet) available through their respective governments.

Queen Elizabeth II posing for a Canadian portrait

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.