Your guide to Egypt’s sun queen Nefertiti

Nefertiti is a most recognised figure from ancient Egypt thanks to the 1912 discovery of her remarkable bust.

• She was the wife of pharaoh Akhenaten and was possibly a first cousin of the king.
• During her period as Akhenaten's wife, she was depicted smiting Egypt's enemies, something unique to her.
• Nefertiti survived her husband as a fully-fledged female pharaoh.

• Sobekneferu, the daughter of King Amenemhet III, became the first female pharaoh of the 12th Egyptian Dynasty as he did not have any sons.
• In the 18th Dynasty, a woman called Hatshepsut was the regent for the young King Thutmose III. Seven years into his reign, she promoted herself to female pharaoh and ruled alongside him.
• Some centuries after Nefertiti, a lady called Tausret carries on ruling as a female pharaoh when the young king suddenly dies.