She is one of the best known Egyptian queens, among such women as Cleopatra, Nefertiti, and Hatshepsut, and one of the most prominent not known or thought to have reigned in her own right.

She was highly educated and able to both read and write hieroglyphs, a very rare skill at the time.

[9] Nefertari held many titles, including: Great of Praises (wrt-hzwt), Sweet of Love (bnrt-mrwt), Lady of Grace (nbt-im3t), Great King's Wife (hmt-niswt-wrt), his beloved (hmt-niswt-wrt meryt.f), Lady of The Two Lands (nbt-t3wy), Lady of all Lands (hnwt-t3w-nbw), Wife of the Strong Bull (hmt-k3-nxt), god's Wife (hmt-ntr), Mistress of Upper and Lower Egypt (hnwt-Shm’w-mhw).

[11] Although Nefertari's family background is unknown, the discovery in her tomb of a knob inscribed with the cartouche of Pharaoh Ay has led people to speculate she was related to him.

Amun-her-khepeshef, the eldest, was Crown Prince and Commander of the Troops, and Pareherwenemef would later serve in Ramesses II's army.

The king and the queen are said to worship in the new temple and are shown overseeing the Erection of the Mast before Amen-Re attended by standard bearers.

Nefertari's speech during this ceremony is recorded: Your beloved son, the Lord of Both Lands, Usermaatre Setepenre, has come to see you in your beautiful manifestation.

[17] Nefertari appears as Ramesses II's consort on many statues in both Luxor and Karnak.

[14] Nefertari's prominence at court is further supported by cuneiform tablets from the Hittite city of Hattusas (today Boghazkoy, Turkey), containing Nefertari's correspondence with the king Hattusili III and his wife Puduhepa.

Her daughter Meritamen is depicted taking part in place of her mother in some of the scenes.

[14][17] Nefertari appears twice as one of the royal women represented beside the colossal statues of Ramesses II that stand before the temple.

To the right of the doorway Nefertari, Baketmut and the king's son Ramesses are shown with the Pharaoh.

[17] The small temple at Abu Simbel was dedicated to Nefertari and Hathor of Ibshek.

Nefertari can be seen wearing Greek silver earrings with a labrys design in one of the portraits.