Murals of the Queen appear on shops, pubs and houses across Britain

The Queen of ARTS: Murals of Her Majesty appear on shops, pubs and houses across Britain as artists pay tribute to the late monarch ahead of her state funeral

  • Artistic tributes have popped up to honour Her Majesty across Great Britain following her death last week
  • Buildings in areas including London, Manchester, Glasgow, Nottinghamshire and Port Talbot all have artwork
  • Have you seen any special tributes to the Queen in your area? Get in touch: [email protected]

A host of murals dedicated to the late Queen have appeared on shops, pubs and houses across Britain ahead of her state funeral next week.

Some of Britain’s most creative individuals have spent hours over the last week creating community tributes to the monarch, whose death was announced last Thursday.

Colourful pieces have gone on display up and down the nation – from Port Talbot in Wales to Newark in Nottinghamshire to Glasgow – in a nod to Her Majesty’s 70-year reign.

A two-day project daubed on a two-storey building in Hounslow, west London, was one such example – courtesy of a world record holding artist.

Jignesh Patel, who holds five world records including the longest bubble wrap painting, told the BBC: ‘It is a unique way to do a tribute, in Hounslow there is a lack of creativity. 

‘We love the Queen, when she died, we thought we had to pay tribute. The paint we used is good for 10-15 years. If we can inspire kids and get them to enjoy the mural, it can leave an impression in the community.’

Meanwhile in Scotland, a city pub has also paid tribute by painting a mural of the late monarch on its shutters. 

Bouquets of flowers have also been placed outside The Bristol Bar in Glasgow as a mark of respect.

In Hounslow, west London, a world record holding artist unveiled his two-day project on a two-storey building earlier this week

Meanwhile in Scotland, a city pub has also paid tribute by painting a mural of the late monarch on its shutters

Scott Wilcock, 35, revealed one onlooker broke down in tears as he worked on a wall at the Queens Arms pub in Audenshaw, Greater Manchester

Another colourful tribute to the late monarch appeared on a pavement in central London on Monday thanks to the efforts of artist Julian Beever

The words ‘Queen Elizabeth II 1926 to 2022’ have been written at the bottom of the shutter while a picture of the Queen and the dates of her life have also been mounted above the door.

In a social media post alongside photos of the mural, bar staff wrote: ‘Thank you for everything Ma’am x Love the Bristol Bar’.

The post has been liked more than 4,300 times on Facebook, with hundreds of people leaving messages praising the new artwork.

One person described it as a ‘beautiful tribute to our beautiful gracious Queen Elizabeth’ while another wrote ‘What a lovely tribute to our Queen Elizabeth, so beautiful you guys. God save our King’.

In an earlier social media post staff at the pub, popular with Rangers fans, expressed their sorrow at the Queen’s death, writing: ‘All at The Bristol Bar are extremely saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

‘A lifetime of public service leaves us with an enormous debt of gratitude. Our sympathies and thoughts are with the royal family. Sleep tight your Majesty.’

In Greater Manchester, a graffiti artist spoke of his immense ‘honour’ at being asked to create a mural at a pub named after the Queen.

Scott Wilcock, 35, revealed one onlooker broke down in tears as he worked on a wall at the Queens Arms pub in Audenshaw.

The artist, from Wigan, created a black and white portrait of the Queen with the caption: ‘Thanks for everything ma’am’.

He was approached by the family-owned pub after one of the owners spotted a previous ‘Football Icons’ mural he had done for a pub in Prestwich.

Mr Wilcock, who works under the name Snow Graffiti, said: ‘I don’t normally work on weekends but when the pub contacted me about doing a tribute to the Queen, I just thought it was such an amazing idea.

‘I’ve done hundreds of murals but this one was especially emotional and I felt honoured to have been asked to do it.

‘All through the day I had people coming over to talk to me and take photos while I was working, one woman even started crying.’

To create the mural, Mr Wilcock projected an image of the Queen onto a blank white wall and mapped out an outline, including the eyes and mouth.

He then set to work from 7am on Saturday morning airbrushing the portrait, and it took him a day to complete the artwork.

Mr Wilcock said: ‘When I do a piece, there’s no other way of explaining it, I just zone out and it’s like I’m in a different world.

‘But when I finished this one, I turned around and I hadn’t even realised that a massive crowd had formed behind me.

‘It was a bit overwhelming but it was really nice and the atmosphere was just so positive.’

Elsewhere, in Nottinghamshire, Laura Hill has also brightened the mood of customers with a piece of art on the front of the shop where she works

Essex-based artist Dan Kitchener said he felt ‘compelled’ to recreate an image of the Queen on the side of a building

Scott Wilcock created a black and white portrait of the Queen with the caption: ‘Thanks for everything ma’am’

In Port Talbot, Wales, another mural of the Queen on a ’96 pound note’ appeared after a 17-hour effort by electrical engineer-turned-street artist Steve ‘Jenks’ Jenkins

General manager Cara Campbell said she had decided to commemorate the late Queen with a permanent tribute since the pub is ‘literally named after her’.

Ms Campbell, 47, said: ‘When it was announced that the Queen had passed away it was such a shock and everyone in the pub just went silent.

‘We thought it would be lovely to have some kind of remembrance of her because, after all, the Queens Arms is literally named after her.

‘When Scott had finished his mural it was just surreal. He has exceeded our expectations and managed to capture her likeness so unbelievably well. It’s been so lovely watching the public reaction to it and seeing people pulling up to take a photos of it.’

Mr Wilcock, a former mechanic, only began painting when he was furloughed during the Covid-19 pandemic but eventually quit his job to follow his dream.

He said: ‘I always had an idea that I wanted to paint and I liked the idea of using an airbrush but I’d never done it before.

‘I was furloughed for six weeks during the pandemic, so I invested in a brush and a compressor and just trialled it in the gym when they were closed, where I painted three portraits.

‘Everyone loved it and that was the beginning of everything. I loved my job as a mechanic but not long after I returned to work I handed in my notice to follow my dream of becoming an artist.’

The father-of-three now travels the country creating bespoke murals for clients and has even encouraged others to follow their dreams.

Mr Wilcock said: ‘I’m still learning as I go along but I’ve had people approach me for advice and I take a lot of pride in that.

‘Especially when it’s people who have always dreamt about doing this sort of work but never had the confidence to go for it. I always try to talk them into it.’

Elsewhere, in Nottinghamshire, Laura Hill has also brightened the mood of customers with a piece of art on the front of the shop where she works.

The 45-year-old often decorates the front of Village Chic in Newark with paintings reflecting national events.  

In the past she has painted the front of the shop in poppies for Remembrance Day and daisies for a children’s charity.

Earlier this year she painted a mural to the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee.

Following the death of Her Majesty last Thursday, Laura has etched a poignant 10ft-high image of the Queen using Royal blue paint.

The artists at work creating the mural of the Queen in Hounslow, west London

A mural of Queen Elizabeth II created by Scott Wilcock at the Queens Arms pub in Audenshaw

Artist Julian Beever works on a mural of Queen Elizabeth on the pavement in central London

She said: ‘The last time did a mural was when we painted beach huts on the shop front for the town centre beach and people kept asking us what were were going to do next.

‘We thought it was probably going to be for Remembrance Day later this year, but then this happened. It really feels like the end of an era. Most people alive today, all they have ever known, is her.

‘We did paint an image of the Queen for the Jubilee based on a younger picture of her. But I think for most people she will be remembered like this, so we wanted to use a more recognisable image this time.

‘I was actually out last night when the news came through and everyone around me got quite emotional and silent. I think a lot of people thought of her as family and were reflecting on their own families and parents.

‘Despite her age she always came across as an incredibly strong woman, who did so much for the people. I’ve had so many people come up to me already to say how wonderful it is. It’s a brilliant reaction and I’ve only just started.

‘This is a sombre moment for the country, but I think it needs to be a celebration. At the end of the day she reached the age of 96, which I think is amazing and that life needs celebrating.’

In Port Talbot, Wales, another mural of the Queen on a ’96 pound note’ appeared after a 17-hour effort by electrical engineer-turned-street artist Steve ‘Jenks’ Jenkins.

Explaining what inspired him to paint the mural of Her Majesty, the 48-year-old told WalesOnline: ‘She was so well thought of, she had an amazing length of service, so I wanted to honour that. I started on Friday, did more painting on Saturday and went back on Sunday to finish a few bits off.

‘It’s shaped like a [money] note, the ’96’ is for her age when she died. ‘I’ve gone for turquoise and blue colours rather than the normal reds, because she often wore blue and turquoise, I think they were her favourite colours. 

‘Her corgis are on there and there’s a horse, because she obviously loved horses, and I’ve painted a pigeon because she was patron of the Pigeon society [The Royal Pigeon Racing Association]. She was just so well thought of, I had to paint her, we’ll never have this [70-year-reign] again.’

Meanwhile, Essex-based artist Dan Kitchener said he felt ‘compelled’ to recreate an image of the Queen on the side of a building.

Mr Kitchener, also known as Dank, worked on his masterpiece in West Street, Rochford, on Friday after coming across a photo of the Queen on social media.

The black-and-white mural has been set up opposite the Women Institute Hall, and depicts the Queen during her early days on the throne.

Another colourful tribute to the late monarch appeared on a pavement in central London on Monday thanks to the efforts of artist Julian Beever. 

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