Queen Elizabeth II: The timeline in Photos

Updated on September 10, 2022 18:19 PM by Laura Mendes

Elizabeth was born in 1926, eight years after the end of World War I, and took her first steps in a world we only know from sepia images, in a nation that hadn't yet seen the introduction of public television and in a time that, in some ways, resembled the 19th century more than the 21st.

She passed away as Britain's longest-serving monarch more than nine decades after inheriting the throne at age 25 in 1952, leaving behind a vastly different country.

The final piece of Britain's empire was lost during Queen Elizabeth's reign, and the country also saw a dizzying social upheaval, incredible technological advancements, and perplexing political developments.

Only Brits who are far into their seventies can recall a time before Queen Elizabeth's reign, during which she remained a special emblem of stability and responsibility among unprecedented turmoil. She performed a number of primarily ceremonial duties as head of state, such as traveling abroad and regularly meeting with prime ministers from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss.

Despite the royal family's numerous issues, respect for her has maintained their support for them. Additionally, it has supported the UK's unity when calls for Scottish independence and Irish reunification are becoming more and more intense.

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Here are some pictures of that extraordinary existence

In 1926, Princess Elizabeth slept in a christening gown with her mother, Elizabeth, Duchess of York, and her father, the Duke of York.

On the platform at King's Cross station in London, leaving for Sandringham for the 1929 Christmas holidays.

Pony ride in Windsor, 1936. Elizabeth was not in line for the throne until her uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936, and her father became King George VI. Elizabeth's father was the second son of King George V.

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Sitting with two dogs on a garden bench in 1936

Wearing her Girl Guides costume in Frogmore Park at Windsor Castle in 1942. The princesses relocated to Windsor Castle in 1939 when war broke out.

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Officers and cadets were greeted in 1943. Elizabeth served as the Grenadier Guards' honorary colonel.

In 1946, the Auxiliary Territorial Service taught basic auto repair. At the age of 18, she enlisted as an honorary subaltern.

Observing Victory Day in Europe with her parents. On May 8, 1945, Princess Margaret and Prime Minister Winston Churchill were both standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

In 1946, at her desk in Buckingham Palace.

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Following her coronation in 1953, she and Prince Philip waved to onlookers from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Taking a photo at Buckingham Palace in 1958 while holding hands with Prince Philip.

In a drawing room at Sandringham House in 1969, from left, are Prince Edward, Prince Philip, the queen, Princess Anne, Prince Charles, and Prince Andrew. With a well-seen TV documentary film, the queen helped reduce some secrecy around their family in the late 1960s.

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On her first visit to the United States as the British monarch, the queen was driven in a motorcade along Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House in Washington in 1957.

In 1957, speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Following a tiger hunt as part of a royal tour of Nepal in February 1961, riding an elephant.

Prince Philip welcomed Nigerians in 1956.

In 1983, at Yosemite National Park in California.

In 1965, Prince Philip and I crossed the Berlin Wall.

Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Edward, and Prince Charles were all at Buckingham Palace in 1972.

In 1984, while on a ramble through a crowd.

A 1986 state visit to China contained a stop in Xi'an to see the Terracotta Army.

Prince Philip and I went to the Great Wall of China in 1986.

Following their 1981 royal nuptials on a balcony at Buckingham Palace with Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. William and Harry were the couple's two children; nevertheless, they split up in 1992.

Viewing a polo play at Windsor in 1982 with Diana.

At the Guards Polo Club in Windsor, 1987, with Prince William and Prince Harry.

During the 1979 Bahrain horse and camel races, the emir of Bahrain was present.

Riding in the same vehicle as South African President Nelson Mandela at the start of his state visit to Britain in 1996.

During a 1991 visit to Washington, D.C., making a speech in the Capitol.

During a 1997 trip to Canada's interior Labrador, shaking hands with Innu ladies.

In 1997, Prince Philip and I watched as flowers were laid outside Buckingham Palace in Diana's honor. Following the princess's passing in a car accident that year, Britain experienced a tremendous public outcry that the queen initially appeared to find difficult to manage.

2020 riding in Windsor Home Park.

Seeing a performance at the Royal Albert Hall in London in 2004.

Giving Charles a horticultural society medal while he was in London for the 2009 Chelsea Flower Show.

At the Sovereign's Parade at Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006, grinning at her grandson Prince Harry, who is second from the right.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip met President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama in 2011 at Winfield House, the London home of the American ambassador.

Sitting next to Vogue's editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour, third from the right, at a catwalk show during London Fashion Week in 2018.

2016 celebrations in London on her 90th birthday, with Prince Philip waving to guests.

During the 2019 state opening of Parliament, Charles, fourth from the right, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, second from the right, were present.

We welcomed President Biden and Jill Biden last year when they arrived at Windsor Castle.

As per the regulations of Covid, the queen sat by herself at Prince Philip's funeral last year after he passed away at the age of 99.

During the celebrations for her Platinum Jubilee this summer, she was seen waving from the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Charles, left; her great-grandchildren Louis, Charlotte, and George; and Prince William, right, and his wife, Kate.