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Queen Elizabeth reigned for 70 years, making her the longest-ruling monarch in British history.
On September 8, 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II passed away. At 96 years of age and reigning as queen for 70 years, she
was the longest-living, longest-reigning British monarch. And while she and her famous family regularly made headlines, fans learned more about her (dramatized) past thanks to Netflix’s The Crown (with Imelda Staunton playing the queen in season 5, which will take on a new poignancy with Her Majesty’s recent passing).
In 1947, Queen Elizabeth II married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a former prince of Greece and Denmark. The couple has four children: Charles, Prince of Wales; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. When her father died in 1952, Elizabeth, then 25, became the head of the Commonwealth. The following year, Elizabeth was crowned and officially recognized as sovereign. Since then, the queen has served in her role as the queen of England, and in 2017, she became the first British monarch to reach a Sapphire Jubilee—a celebration to mark 65 years of her reign. This year’s summer was the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years as queen.
On September 6, 2022, while at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, the queen met with newly elected leader of the Conservative Party Liz Truss, where she was invited to become prime minister and form a new government. Just two days later, it was announced that Her Majesty had died peacefully at her beloved Balmoral.
To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s remarkable life in service, here are some photos of her through her 96 years of life, and 70 years as monarch.
Princess Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926. Her parents, the Duke and Duchess of York, hold her at her christening in this photo.
It’s unclear when this photo was taken, but we see an older Princess Elizabeth posing next to her younger sister, Princess Margaret.
Princess Elizabeth celebrated her 13th birthday on April 21, 1939. According to ABC News, she was allowed to plan her own day, so after opening presents, she went riding in Windsor Great Park with the King and Princess Margaret.
Sometime between 1942 and 1945, Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service of the British Army. As an honorary second subaltern (the equivalent to a second lieutenant in the U.S.), she learned how to change a wheel, deconstruct and rebuild engines, and drive ambulances and other vehicles, according to Mashable.
Princess Elizabeth met her future husband, Prince Philip, when she was 13 years old. She was 21 when their engagement was officially announced. This photo was taken shortly before their wedding ceremony.
On November 20, 1947, Princess Elizabeth and Philip tied the knot at Westminster Abbey. She wore a gown designed by Norman Hartnell and had to use ration coupons to buy the material for the design, according to Time.
After getting married, Princess Elizabeth and Philip went on their honeymoon in Malta, where he was stationed with the Royal Navy.
Princess Elizabeth gave birth to her first child, Prince Charles, on November 14, 1948. This was the official portrait for his christening.
Two years after welcoming Prince Charles, Princess Elizabeth gave birth to a daughter, Anne, on August 15, 1950.
On November 4, 1952, Queen Elizabeth II attended her first State Opening of Parliament as a monarch. In early 1952, while traveling to Kenya, Elizabeth was informed that her father, King George VI, died, immediately making her queen.
A year after ascending the throne, Queen Elizabeth II was coronated on June 2, 1953. Her coronation, with the exception of the anointing and communion, was televised for the first time.
A rare family picture of Queen Elizabeth with Prince Philip and all of their children (left to right): Princess Anne, Prince Edward, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Prince Andrew.
On July 1, 1969, Queen Elizabeth II crowned Charles the Prince of Wales during his investiture ceremony. For it, Charles gave a speech in both English and Welsh, which viewers got to see recreated on season 3 of Netflix’s The Crown. 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the ceremony.
It’s no secret that Queen Elizabeth II was a corgi lover. Here she is pictured in the salon of her Sandringham House.
To commemorate their 25th silver wedding anniversary, Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth dressed up for the celebrations held at Buckingham Palace.
Before starting her holidays in Scotland, Queen Elizabeth II was pictured arriving at the airport with her three corgis in tow.
To celebrate the bicentennial of the Declaration of Independence, Queen Elizabeth II danced with former president of the United States, Gerald Ford, at a ball at the White House.
Here’s yet another photo of Queen Elizabeth relaxing at her vacation home in Sandringham with her corgis.
At the time this picture was taken, March 27, 1981, Prince Charles was engaged to his fiancée, Lady Diana Spencer. The two would get married a few months later, on July 29 1981, and have two children: Prince William and Prince Harry.
Two years after making history as the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican, Queen Elizabeth II was paid a visit by Pope John Paul II.
While former U.S. president Ronald Reagan was visiting the U.K., Queen Elizabeth II took him riding through the grounds of Windsor Castle.
For the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1983, also known as the queen’s annual birthday parade, Elizabeth rode a horse and dressed in traditional military wear. In 1987, she stopped inspecting her troops on horseback and began attending in a carriage instead, according to Town & Country.
Queen Elizabeth II presented the Order of Merit—a reward to those who’ve distinguished themselves in science, art, literature, culture or provided eminent service in the armed forces—to Mother Teresa during a visit to Delhi, India.
The Queen Mother posed for a few pictures to celebrate her 83rd birthday with her daughter outside of Clarence House.
After Queen Elizabeth II presented her son, Prince Charles, with a prize at a polo match, the two shared this tender moment together.
The queen was photographed sharing quality time with her grandchildren, Prince Harry and Prince William, in the royal box at Guards Polo Club.
Queen Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales watch polo at Smiths Lawn, Windsor in July.
Every June, Queen Elizabeth II and the Knights would proceed in grand velvet robes at Windsor Castle for Garter Day. It is considered one of the most traditional ceremonies on the queen’s calendar, according to the royal family website.
The queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, attended a concert at the Royal College of Music dressed in formal gowns.
On May 3, 2000—a year after his term in office—former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela had a state visit with Queen Elizabeth II.