She came to be known as the Virgin Queen, the commanding female monarch who defeated an Armada and launched Britain on its imperial adventures.

But in this portrait Queen Elizabeth I appears to be little more than a diminutive and shy young woman.

Discovered by Philip Mould, the BBC historian and art dealer, the painting - thought to be the earliest full-length portrait of the Queen - is now going up on display for the first time.

Critics are fascinated by the painting as it shows a rarely seen softer, more feminine and even petulant side of Elizabeth's character.

The portrait, painted on the wood of an oak tree, is believed to date from 1559 as experts have studied the tree's growth rings. Elizabeth came to the throne in 1558 and reigned for 45 years.