For a queen who was never supposed to be, Elizabeth II defied expectations and became an historic, record-breaking monarch. She was born in April 1926, in central London, and in 1947, at the age of 21, she married Prince Philip.
Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952, following the shocking death of her father, King George VI, and was coronated in 1953.
She is the longest reigning monarch in British history, and celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in 2022. The Queen captured the hearts of many, oversaw periods of intense social change, and remained a figurehead for the nation throughout.
Her most recent royal meeting was to invite Liz Truss to form a Government, a meeting which she carried out at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire due to her declining health. Here we look at iconic photos from her life, from her birth in 1926 to her final photo welcoming the new Prime Minister on Tuesday.
17. The Queen’s Covid address to the nation
A family watches the Queen’s speech at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, when she told 25million viewers “we will meet again”. Credit: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images | AFP via Getty Images
18. The Queen at Prince Philip’s funeral
The Queen sitting alone during the funeral of Prince Philip at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, due to Covid restrictions. Credit: Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images | Getty Images
19. Platinum Jubilee
One of the Queen’s few appearances during the Platinum Jubilee. Credit: Getty | Getty Images
20. The Queen’s final public event
The Queen appointing Liz Truss Prime Minister on Tuesday, her final photographed event before her death. Credit: PA | PA