Queen Elizabeth's Life in Photos: See the Most Iconic Moments from Her Historic Reign

Mar. 15, 2025

01of 44LIL' LILIBETMarcus Adams/Paul Popper/Popperfoto/GettyBorn on April 21, 1926, a then-Princess Elizabeth posed for a portrait in 1928. One of the snaps from this sitting ended upon the cover ofTIMEthat same year.

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LIL' LILIBET

Marcus Adams/Paul Popper/Popperfoto/Getty

Born on April 21, 1926, a then-Princess Elizabeth posed for a portrait in 1928. One of the snaps from this sitting ended upon the cover ofTIMEthat same year.

02of 44SISTER SISTERLisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/GettyPrincesses Elizabeth and beloved sister Princess Margaret played with their dogs outside the Royal Lodge in Windsor Castle during a portrait session in 1942. The two womenshared a lifelong bonduntil Margaret’s death in 2002.

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SISTER SISTER

Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty

Princesses Elizabeth and beloved sister Princess Margaret played with their dogs outside the Royal Lodge in Windsor Castle during a portrait session in 1942. The two womenshared a lifelong bonduntil Margaret’s death in 2002.

03of 44WARTIME DUTYPopperfoto/GettyIn 1945, a then-Princess Elizabeth did her part for the war effort when she served as an ambulance driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II.

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WARTIME DUTY

Popperfoto/Getty

In 1945, a then-Princess Elizabeth did her part for the war effort when she served as an ambulance driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II.

04of 44LETTING LOOSEPopper/Popperfoto/GettyA then-Princess Elizabeth played around with crewmembers aboard the HMS Vanguard during the royal family’s trip to South Africa in 1947.

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LETTING LOOSE

Popper/Popperfoto/Getty

A then-Princess Elizabeth played around with crewmembers aboard the HMS Vanguard during the royal family’s trip to South Africa in 1947.

05of 44ROYAL WEDDINGQueen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding.Popperfoto/GettyQueen ElizabethII marriedPrince Philipin 1947.The pair’s 70-year love storywas one for the ages, resulting in four children, eight grandchildren and 12 grandchildren.

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ROYAL WEDDING

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s wedding.Popperfoto/Getty

Queen ElizabethII marriedPrince Philipin 1947.The pair’s 70-year love storywas one for the ages, resulting in four children, eight grandchildren and 12 grandchildren.

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THE NEW QUEEN

OFF/AFP/Getty

07of 44FULL REGALIABettmann/CORBISQueen ElizabethII posed for a formal portrait after her coronation in 1953. She was 27 years old when she ascended the throne.

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FULL REGALIA

Bettmann/CORBIS

Queen ElizabethII posed for a formal portrait after her coronation in 1953. She was 27 years old when she ascended the throne.

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THE BRITISH BULLDOG

Central Press/Getty

09of 44QUEEN OF STYLEKeystone/Hulton Archive/GettyThe Queen looked chic in white when she attended a garden party in Sydney in 1954. Through the years, she became known for her classic,monochromatic wardrobe.

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QUEEN OF STYLE

Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty

The Queen looked chic in white when she attended a garden party in Sydney in 1954. Through the years, she became known for her classic,monochromatic wardrobe.

10of 44AT THE WHEELBob Haswell/Express/GettyIn 1958,Queen ElizabethII flashed a smile when she drove herself to a polo match in Windsor.

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AT THE WHEEL

Bob Haswell/Express/Getty

In 1958,Queen ElizabethII flashed a smile when she drove herself to a polo match in Windsor.

11of 44MUST LOVE DOGSLichfield/GettyQueen ElizabethII posed with two of her beloved corgis during her annual summer vacation at Balmoral Castle in 1971. The royal had countless corgis throughout her reign.

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MUST LOVE DOGS

Lichfield/Getty

Queen ElizabethII posed with two of her beloved corgis during her annual summer vacation at Balmoral Castle in 1971. The royal had countless corgis throughout her reign.

12of 44SCOTTISH DAYSLichfield/GettyQueen ElizabethII posed withPrince Philipand their four children at her favorite castle —Balmoral— in 1972.

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SCOTTISH DAYS

Queen ElizabethII posed withPrince Philipand their four children at her favorite castle —Balmoral— in 1972.

13of 44ROYAL GRANDMAAnwar Hussein/GettyQueen Elizabethattempted to calm her first grandchild, Peter Phillips, after he started to cry in mum Princess Anne’s arms after his christening in 1977.

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ROYAL GRANDMA

Anwar Hussein/Getty

Queen Elizabethattempted to calm her first grandchild, Peter Phillips, after he started to cry in mum Princess Anne’s arms after his christening in 1977.

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WOMEN IN POWER

15of 44QUEENLY CALMGAMMA/Gamma-Keystone/GettyQueen ElizabethII didn’t break her stride when a guard fainted during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1970 (pictured). The Queen showed similar calm when a man fired six blanks at her while she rode past during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1981.

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QUEENLY CALM

GAMMA/Gamma-Keystone/Getty

Queen ElizabethII didn’t break her stride when a guard fainted during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1970 (pictured). The Queen showed similar calm when a man fired six blanks at her while she rode past during the Trooping the Colour ceremony in 1981.

16of 44HORSE GIRLQueen Elizabeth.Lichfield/GettyAn avid horsewoman,Queen ElizabethII rode on horseback during a family vacation at Balmoral Castle in 1971.

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HORSE GIRL

Queen Elizabeth.Lichfield/Getty

An avid horsewoman,Queen ElizabethII rode on horseback during a family vacation at Balmoral Castle in 1971.

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HAPPIER TIMES

18of 44DIANA YEARSFox Photos/GettyQueen ElizabethII posed withPrince Charlesand his then-fiancée Lady Diana Spencer at Buckingham Palace in 1981. Several months later, Diana and Charles would be married.

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DIANA YEARS

Fox Photos/Getty

Queen ElizabethII posed withPrince Charlesand his then-fiancée Lady Diana Spencer at Buckingham Palace in 1981. Several months later, Diana and Charles would be married.

19of 44QUICK WITDiana Walker/The LIFE Images Collection/GettyQueen ElizabethII made President Ronald Reagan laugh during a state dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. She rubbed elbows with13 of the 14 sitting U.S. presidentsduring her time on the throne.

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QUICK WIT

Diana Walker/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

Queen ElizabethII made President Ronald Reagan laugh during a state dinner at Windsor Castle in 1982. She rubbed elbows with13 of the 14 sitting U.S. presidentsduring her time on the throne.

20of 44TOUCH UPSQueen Elizabeth.David Levenson/GettyQueen ElizabethII took a momeny during the Windsor Horse Show in 1985 to reapply her lipstick.

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TOUCH UPS

Queen Elizabeth.David Levenson/Getty

Queen ElizabethII took a momeny during the Windsor Horse Show in 1985 to reapply her lipstick.

21of 44ANNUS HORRIBILISTim Graham Picture Library/GettyIn 1992,Queen ElizabethII gave hernow-famous “Annus Horribilis” speechon the 40th anniversary of her succession. During that year, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew ended their marriages,Prince Charlesand Princess Diana’s marriage imploded in the press and Windsor Castle was extensively damaged in a fire.

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ANNUS HORRIBILIS

Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty

In 1992,Queen ElizabethII gave hernow-famous “Annus Horribilis” speechon the 40th anniversary of her succession. During that year, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew ended their marriages,Prince Charlesand Princess Diana’s marriage imploded in the press and Windsor Castle was extensively damaged in a fire.

22of 44SHARP SHOOTERTim Ockenden/PAQueen ElizabethII fired a SA 80 rifle when she attended the centenary of the Army Rifle Association at Bisley, England, in 1993.

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SHARP SHOOTER

Tim Ockenden/PA

Queen ElizabethII fired a SA 80 rifle when she attended the centenary of the Army Rifle Association at Bisley, England, in 1993.

23of 44A TIME FOR MOURNINGTim Graham/GettyQueen ElizabethII laid a wreath outside the Dunblane Primary School in Scotland in 1996. The school was the site of one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United Kingdom’s history when a gunman killed 16 children and their teacher before taking his own life.

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A TIME FOR MOURNING

Tim Graham/Getty

Queen ElizabethII laid a wreath outside the Dunblane Primary School in Scotland in 1996. The school was the site of one of the deadliest mass shootings in the United Kingdom’s history when a gunman killed 16 children and their teacher before taking his own life.

24of 44A ROSE FOR ENGLANDRalf-Finn Hestoft/CORBIS/Corbis/GettyQueen ElizabethII recieved a rose from a young mourner outside Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.

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A ROSE FOR ENGLAND

Ralf-Finn Hestoft/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty

Queen ElizabethII recieved a rose from a young mourner outside Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997.

25of 44GIRL POWERTim Graham Picture Library/GettyCelebs loved her, too! The Queen met with the Spice Girls after a performance in London in 1997.

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GIRL POWER

Celebs loved her, too! The Queen met with the Spice Girls after a performance in London in 1997.

26of 44THE WINDSOR WOMENKen Goff/The LIFE Images Collection/GettyPrincess Margaret,Queen Elizabeththe Queen Mother andQueen ElizabethII stepped out onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday in 2000. Both Margaret and the Queen Mother would pass away two years later.

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THE WINDSOR WOMEN

Ken Goff/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty

Princess Margaret,Queen Elizabeththe Queen Mother andQueen ElizabethII stepped out onto the balcony at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday in 2000. Both Margaret and the Queen Mother would pass away two years later.

27of 44GLITTER QUEENODD ANDERSEN/AFP/GettyQueen ElizabethII sparkled in diamonds as attended the Opening of Parliament in 2000.

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GLITTER QUEEN

ODD ANDERSEN/AFP/Getty

Queen ElizabethII sparkled in diamonds as attended the Opening of Parliament in 2000.

28of 44GRANNY’S PRIDETim Graham/GettyQueen ElizabethII exchanged a smile with grandsonPrince Harrywhile inspecting soldiers at the Sovereign’s Parade at the Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006. The two alwaysshared a special relationship.

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GRANNY’S PRIDE

Queen ElizabethII exchanged a smile with grandsonPrince Harrywhile inspecting soldiers at the Sovereign’s Parade at the Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006. The two alwaysshared a special relationship.

29of 44CRACKING UPKate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth.Phil Noble/WPA Pool/GettyQueen ElizabethII madeKate Middletonlaughed during an event in Nottingham, England, in 2012. The Duchess of Cambridge, a future queen herself, always “did her homework” before joining her grandmother-in-law on outings,a source once told PEOPLE.

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CRACKING UP

Kate Middleton and Queen Elizabeth.Phil Noble/WPA Pool/Getty

Queen ElizabethII madeKate Middletonlaughed during an event in Nottingham, England, in 2012. The Duchess of Cambridge, a future queen herself, always “did her homework” before joining her grandmother-in-law on outings,a source once told PEOPLE.

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STIFF UPPER LIP

LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty

31of 44SAY CHEESEPeter Macdiarmid/Pool/GettyA cheeky young man snapped a selfie withQueen ElizabethII when she visited Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2014.

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SAY CHEESE

Peter Macdiarmid/Pool/Getty

A cheeky young man snapped a selfie withQueen ElizabethII when she visited Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 2014.

32of 44A UNITED ROYAL FAMILYBen A. Pruchnie/GettyPrince Charles, Princess Kate,Princess Charlotte,Prince George,Prince WilliamandPrince HarryjoinedQueen ElizabethII on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2016 for the special Trooping the Colour flypast in honor of her 90th birthday.

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A UNITED ROYAL FAMILY

Ben A. Pruchnie/Getty

Prince Charles, Princess Kate,Princess Charlotte,Prince George,Prince WilliamandPrince HarryjoinedQueen ElizabethII on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 2016 for the special Trooping the Colour flypast in honor of her 90th birthday.

33of 44OPENING UPJim BennettQueen ElizabethII made headlines when she was spotted driving Princess Kate’s mother Carole Middleton during an outing at Balmoral in 2016. The moment signified that the royal family had opened up more to their in-laws after several high-profile divorces.

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OPENING UP

Jim Bennett

Queen ElizabethII made headlines when she was spotted driving Princess Kate’s mother Carole Middleton during an outing at Balmoral in 2016. The moment signified that the royal family had opened up more to their in-laws after several high-profile divorces.

34of 44MOTHER AND SONNick KnightPrince CharlesandQueen ElizabethII posed for a portrait together in 2016.

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MOTHER AND SON

Nick Knight

Prince CharlesandQueen ElizabethII posed for a portrait together in 2016.

35of 44A HISTORIC ROYAL WEDDINGAlexi Lubomirski/AP/REX/ShutterstockThe Queen joined the royal family on the occassion ofPrince Harry’s wedding toMeghan Markleon May 19, 2018.

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A HISTORIC ROYAL WEDDING

Alexi Lubomirski/AP/REX/Shutterstock

The Queen joined the royal family on the occassion ofPrince Harry’s wedding toMeghan Markleon May 19, 2018.

36of 44A FIRST WITH MEGHAN MARKLEMeghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth in 2018.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe monarch had herfirstjointouting with Meghan Marklein June 2018, just weeks after the Duchess of Sussex officially joined the royal family — and the duo were all smiles throughout the event in Cheshire.

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A FIRST WITH MEGHAN MARKLE

Meghan Markle and Queen Elizabeth in 2018.Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The monarch had herfirstjointouting with Meghan Marklein June 2018, just weeks after the Duchess of Sussex officially joined the royal family — and the duo were all smiles throughout the event in Cheshire.

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A CHRISTMAS TRADITION

REX/Shutterstock

38of 44KATE’S FIRST SOLO OUTINGMark Cuthbert/UK Press/GettyIn March 2019,Kate MiddletonjoinedQueen Elizabethfor a special joint outing — their first since Kate joined the royal family in 2011.Thefuture Queen got further insight into the life of the Sovereignwhen she and the monarch toured a high-tech university in central London. Kate and the Queen visited King’s College’s Strand campus, which is housed in the former BBC building, Bush House.

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KATE’S FIRST SOLO OUTING

Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty

In March 2019,Kate MiddletonjoinedQueen Elizabethfor a special joint outing — their first since Kate joined the royal family in 2011.

Thefuture Queen got further insight into the life of the Sovereignwhen she and the monarch toured a high-tech university in central London. Kate and the Queen visited King’s College’s Strand campus, which is housed in the former BBC building, Bush House.

39of 44QUEEN IN LOCKDOWNQueen Elizabeth’s address in April 2020.The Royal Family/YoutubeIn a rare televised address that aired in the U.K. on April 5, 2020, paid tribute to healthcare workers and praised everyone who was making great changes to their lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again,” she said. “But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.”

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QUEEN IN LOCKDOWN

Queen Elizabeth’s address in April 2020.The Royal Family/Youtube

In a rare televised address that aired in the U.K. on April 5, 2020, paid tribute to healthcare workers and praised everyone who was making great changes to their lives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again,” she said. “But for now, I send my thanks and warmest good wishes to you all.”

40of 44IN MOURNINGQueen Elizabeth.Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty ImagesQueen Elizabethtook her seat during the funeral of her beloved husbandPrince Philipat St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 30 guests were invited and they had to sit several feet apart.

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IN MOURNING

Queen Elizabeth.Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Queen Elizabethtook her seat during the funeral of her beloved husbandPrince Philipat St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only 30 guests were invited and they had to sit several feet apart.

41of 44TAKING THE REINSQueen Elizabeth.henry dallal photographyIn honor of her 96th birthday in April 2022, a majestic new portrait showedQueen Elizabethstanding in front of a giant magnolia tree on the grounds of Windsor Castle while holding the reins of two of her favorite fell ponies.

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TAKING THE REINS

Queen Elizabeth.henry dallal photography

In honor of her 96th birthday in April 2022, a majestic new portrait showedQueen Elizabethstanding in front of a giant magnolia tree on the grounds of Windsor Castle while holding the reins of two of her favorite fell ponies.

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JUBILANT JUBILEE

Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth in June 2022.Hannah McKay/getty

In June of 2022, the U.K. celebrated the Queen’s 70-year reign with a starryPlatinum Jubilee. Though the woman of the hour had to take a backseat in some activities due to her ongoing mobility issues, she still greeted the crowds from the Buckingham Palace balcony and thanked admirers after the events.

43of 44STILL WORKINGQueen Elizabeth and Liz Truss.Jane Barlow/AP/ShutterstockOn Sept. 6, 2022,the Queen welcomednewly minted U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss to Balmoral Castle in Scotland after bidding outgoing PM Boris Johnson a formal farewell. It was thefirst time in her reignthe Queen appointed a PM in Scotland, instead of making the trip to London for the formality.It was the last photo taken of Her Majesty; on the evening of Sept. 8, 2022,the royal family announcedthat the Queen “died peacefully” at Balmoral. She was 96 year old.

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STILL WORKING

Queen Elizabeth and Liz Truss.Jane Barlow/AP/Shutterstock

On Sept. 6, 2022,the Queen welcomednewly minted U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss to Balmoral Castle in Scotland after bidding outgoing PM Boris Johnson a formal farewell. It was thefirst time in her reignthe Queen appointed a PM in Scotland, instead of making the trip to London for the formality.

It was the last photo taken of Her Majesty; on the evening of Sept. 8, 2022,the royal family announcedthat the Queen “died peacefully” at Balmoral. She was 96 year old.

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LAID TO REST

Zac Goodwin - WPA Pool/Getty

source: people.com