A royal fan has spent £1.4k on a leg tattoo - showing the Queen as both a young and old woman. Graham Wilson, 54, booked to get the ink done following the monarch's death last ThursdayHe says he wanted to pay tribute to her - and after hearing of a cancellation at his favourite tattoo parlour, knew it was "meant to be".
Graham spent a total of 14 hours getting the design done at Township Tattoo - at a cost of £1,400. He said: "I absolutely love it. I’m ecstatic and so proud of it.
“I loved the Queen, you could really relate to her no matter who you are. She’s iconic and I just wanted to pay homage to her. When I was watching the news I just knew suddenly it was what I wanted to do, and Beth [the tattooist] had a cancellation so it was meant to be.
Graham has the first part of the tattoo done - the Queen at her coronation - on Tuesday. And, after a painful night, the brave digger driver went back the day after for another seven-hour session to have a more recent picture of the late monarch added.
He says he also plans to have a Union Jack flag drawn in the background in time. Graham has the Queen's image in pride of place all over the front of his left thigh - on the leg he says he has dedicated to ladies.
Tattooist Beth Maddox, 29, said she felt honoured to be asked to do the work. Wary of the responsibility, she was determined to get it right.
Beth, who has been a tattooist for six years, said: “I’m chuffed to bits with it. “It was nerve-wracking to do something so iconic especially while everyone’s emotions are high, and, of course, everybody knows her so that’s frightening.
“We took lots of breaks and I was so careful, as I went on I got more comfortable and confident with it. No matter how long you’ve been tattooing you always want to get it right.
“I’m really pleased with it and so proud of him for sitting so well and for so long.”
And Graham's wife Michelle Croft, 53, added: "It’s outstanding work. This is going to be his showpiece tattoo. We both love the Queen, we both love Windsor
“We’ve always been interested in everything she does. We’ve followed every engagement and anniversary of hers. Graham loves a keepsake and a memory. We could spend a fortune on a picture but what are the odds of it being lost or broken.
“This will be with him all the time and wherever he goes. I love his tattoos, and I think this one is amazing, and he’s amazing for doing it.
"The Queen deserves all the credit she’s getting and so much more She was the rock of Britain.
