In the summer of 1553, a girl of around 16 was proclaimed the queen of England. Her name was Lady Jane Grey, and she ruled for just nine days before being executed at the Tower of London. Her reign was the shortest in British history.

A painting that has gone on public display Friday could be the only portrait of England’s shortest-reigning queen, Lady Jane Grey, painted during her lifetime, according to the conservation group

A portrait purporting to be of a living Lady Jane Grey, best-known from a post-death painting of her execution, has gone on display.

Experts believe they have uncovered enough evidence to suggest a Tudor-era portrait could be the only known image of Lady Jane Grey painted in her lifetime. She was "the nine days queen", whose brief reign was an unsuccessful bid by Protestants to prevent the accession of her Catholic cousin Mary I (1553 to 1558).

English Heritage has published new research into the picture, supporting the fact it may depict Lady Jane Grey, but its sitter was also proposed in a 2007 exhibition

An intriguing portrait believed by some to be of England’s ill-fated queen, Lady Jane Grey, could be the only one painted during her lifetime, research suggests — but not everyone is convinced.

Researchers may have found the only known portrait of Lady Jane Grey, which was defaced in an iconoclastic attack.

And what’s more – it’s been loaned to the stately home in Silsoe from a private collection, alongside six other paintings including one of Wrest’s most prominent owners Jemima Marchioness Grey (1723-1797). But what of the other Grey?

Researchers believe they may have identified the only known portrait of Lady Jane Grey, the “nine-day queen” who briefly reigned over England in 1553. The painting, on loan from a private collection,