The Queen: A Life In Pictures
In honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 8th September 2022 at the age of 96, we take a look back at her extraordinary life in pictures.
When people refer to ‘The Queen’ in any part of the world, they mean our queen. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth was undeniably the most iconic monarch of all time, serving for an incredible 70 year reign as Queen of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Head of the Commonwealth.
When the news broke last week, whether you’re a royalist or not, everyone felt an eery feeling of change. A sudden instability that the woman we have known all our lives, who was seen as a constant – on our money, on our stamps – and the only monarch most of us have ever known, had gone.
Whatever The Queen represented for you, whether that was inspiring leadership and stoicism or the final link between us and our parents or grandparents’ generation, there’s no denying Her Majesty was the ultimate stalwart of our time.
Let’s take a look back over every decade of her life, from candid childhood photos to her wedding day to her beloved Prince Phillip, meetings with the world’s most iconic leaders to her final Christmas Day speech. Here’s Her Majesty The Queen’s life in pictures, and what an extraordinary life it was…
1920s
An adorable early portrait of Queen Elizabeth II – or ‘Lilibet’ as her father affectionately called her – as a child in the 1930s
1930s
The then Princess Elizabeth as a teenager with a white pony on her thirteenth birthday in 1939. It’s well documented that the Queen had a life-long passion and love for all things equestrian.
1940s
During World War II HRH Princess Elizabeth worked as a car mechanic. Here she is in her uniform of the The Auxiliary Territorial Service – a women’s army auxiliary branch, with other smiling ATS service members working on and servicing a British Army military vehicle.
Philip, Duke of Edinburgh married his beloved Lilibet at Buckingham Palace in London on November 20, 1947.
1950s
I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
Her Majesty The Queen
Queen Elizabeth II gives a wide smile for the crowd from her carriage as she leaves Westminster Abbey, London, after her Coronation.
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on their coronation day at Buckingham Palace in 1953.
1960s
From left – right
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April 21st 1969 – Queen Elizabeth celebrates her 34th birthday in a turquoise silk evening dress at Buckingham Palace. Image credit: © KEYSTONE Pictures USA.
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Queen Elizabeth II at the garden party in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Women’s Services.
- HM Queen Elizabeth II in 1961
An historic moment: President John F Kennedy and his wife Jackie, pictured with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at a State dinner party given at Buckingham Palace during a visit by the Kennedys to London. 1961.
1970s
Queen Elizabeth II on the Royal Tour of Canada in July 1971
Visiting almost 120 countries around the world, the Queen was the most well-travelled monarch in history.
1980s
What would become one of her signature looks away from the silk gowns, tiaras and jewels, Queen Elizabeth seen here in glasses, a headscarf and classic waxed Barbour jacket, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Berkshire. 1989
1990s
HRH Queen Elizabeth II with South African President Nelson Mandela seen here in the state landau in the Mall during their journey to Buckingham Palace, on the first day of his state visit to the United Kingdom. 9th July 1996
2000s
The Queen met more celebrities, world leaders, and public figures than probably anyone in history. From left – right:
March 2004: HM The Queen meets model Kate Moss, author J K Rowling, model Heather Mills-McCartney and singer Charlotte Church at a reception held at Buckingham Palace.
April 2009: President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama meet with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in London, England.
2010s
29th April 2011: A pop of yellow at the wedding of the then Princess Catherine and Prince William, on the famous balcony of Buckingham Palace. Photo: Kay Nietfeld dpa/Alamy Live News
Showing her humorous side at the 2012 London Olympics in the now famous Bond spoof alongside Daniel Craig.
2020s
April 2022: To celebrate The Queen’s 96th birthday earlier this year, Royal Windsor released a photograph of Her Majesty with two of her beloved fell ponies. Taken in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
September 2022: Just four days before she died, The Queen received Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle. Her Majesty asked her to form a new Administration. Ms. Truss accepted Her Majesty’s offer and was appointed Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.
June 2022: Prince Louis stole the nation’s heart on several occasions during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Here The Queen is as stoic as ever on the famous Buckingham Palace balcony with her great grandson after the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Christmas 2021: A final farewell as The Queen records her annual Christmas broadcast in the White Drawing Room in Windsor Castle, pictured with a heartwarming photo of her and her late husband Prince Philip, who passed away in April.
Grief is the price we pay for love.
HM Queen Elizabeth II
31 May 2017
Queen Elizabeth II visits Drapers’ Hall for a luncheon on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of Her Majesty’s Admission to the Freedom of the Company in London.
