Queen Elizabeth II: A Life In Pictures
Queen Elizabeth II lived her life in the spotlight. Here, we celebrate her unparalleled life by looking back at her reign, from young princess to Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
Early Life
The Queen was born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, in Mayfair, London, on 21 April 1926.
She was the first child of Albert, Duke of York - the second son of George V - and his wife, the former Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.
Here she is pictured with her parents and sister, Princess Margaret, in 1937 when King George VI ascended the throne after his brother, Edward VIII, abdicated so he could marry the American divorcee Wallis Simpson. With his coronation, Princess Elizabeth became heiress presumptive.
A Love Story for the Ages
In 1947 she married a distant cousin, Philip Mountbatten, who became Duke of Edinburgh.
They spent their wedding night in Hampshire before honeymooning in Birkhall on the Balmoral estate.
Their 73-year marriage turned out to be exceedingly happy.
“He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years,” she said on the night of her 50th wedding anniversary. “I, and his whole family and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know.”
A Trailblazer
As Sovereign, The Queen was Head of the Armed Forces. Throughout her reign, she remained a committed and informed champion of the Army, Navy and Air Force, with a great empathy for the challenges faced by the Forces community.
The Queen's relationship with the Armed Forces began when, as Princess Elizabeth, she briefly joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) towards the end of the war, learning to drive and service a lorry.
She was the first female member of the Royal Family to join the Armed Services as a full-time active member.
Queen Elizabeth II
“By the sudden death of my dear father I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty,” she told the assembled crowd at an address at the Accession Council in St James’s Palace the day after her father's death. “My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples, spread as they are the world over… I pray that God will help me to discharge worthily this heavy task that has been laid upon me so early in my life.”
Elizabeth, 27, and Philip had been on tour in Kenya when word arrived of her father’s passing. She kept her name as she succeeded to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II. Her coronation ceremony, where she was crowned at Westminster Abbey, was held on 2 June 1953 and was the first to be televised.
Mother of Four
Elizabeth was mother to two young children when she suddenly became Queen and went on two have two more. Her Majesty and Prince Philip pictured here with their children, Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward.
A Life of Duty and Service
“I have a feeling that in the end probably that training is the answer to a great many things,” she said ahead of her 40th year on the throne. “You can do a lot if you are properly trained, and I hope I have been.”
The Queen ruled for longer than any other Monarch in British history, becoming a much-loved and respected figure across the globe. Over 70 years, Her Majesty was a dedicated Head of the Commonwealth, linking more than two billion people worldwide.
Hobbies & Interests
In addition to her busy programme of engagements and duties as Head of State, The Queen managed to maintain hobbies and interests away from her official work.
From driving to horses and her beloved dogs, throughout her reign the Queen has often been pictured with dogs by her side.
The Royal Family's ties with the corgis began when the future George VI bought a corgi called Dookie for his daughters in 1933. Elizabeth was fond of her parents’ corgis from a young age. She received her first corgi, Susan, as an 18th birthday present and has owned more than 30 since she became Queen.
The Ultimate Matriarch
The Queen is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A Royal Celebration
To mark the beginning of the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Weekend in June 2022, a new portrait of The Queen was released.
The photograph was taken by Ranald Mackechnie at Windsor Castle on 25 May.
“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in convening communities, families, neighbours and friends to mark my Platinum Jubilee, in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth.
“I know that many happy memories will be created at these festive occasions. I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last seventy years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm." - Elizabeth R
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations
Queen Elizabeth II, stands with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles, Prince of Wales; Prince Louis, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, to watch a flypast from Buckingham Palace balcony following the Trooping the Colour, as part of Platinum Jubilee celebrations, in London on 2 June
An Unparalleled Life
What a woman. Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch after reigning for 70 years, was a redefiner in many ways.
She will be remembered for many great things, including her wicked sense of humour, beautifully captured by The Guardian in this video montage including the BBC's Jubilee sketch with Paddington Bear:
For over 70 years, as the world changed around her, she remained in place, navigating unimaginable change. Her Majesty has been the one constant and regarded a North Star to many around the world, a fixture by which to orient yourself.
The End of an Era
The Royal Family announced at 6:30pm on 8th September, 2022: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.
The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."
55/Redefined is deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We are so grateful for the extraordinary service she gave to the nation and join together with people around the world in mourning her loss and marking the end of an era.
Rest in peace, Ma'am.