A new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, taken by David Bailey, has been released to mark her 88th birthday on Monday, with the renowned photographer delighting in the "mischievous glint" in her eyes.
German chancellor Angela Merkel will make an historic speech to Britain's parliament on Thursday before holding EU talks with Prime Minister David Cameron and taking tea with Queen Elizabeth II.
British lawmakers on Tuesday urged Queen Elizabeth II's royal household to do more to reduce running costs and produce clearer plans for the monarch's financial future.