On Sept. 8, 2022, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at the age of 96. From a young age, the Queen — once Princess Elizabeth — knew her destiny in the eyes of the people, and her near-century of life in photos shows how wholly she committed her life to royal duty.
She went on to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in early 2021, a little over a year after the funeral of Her Majesty’s late husband late husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who lived to the age of 99. Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed the longest reign of any monarch in British history — a remarkable 70 years. And indeed, as we look back at her years rising through the royal ranks, it’s hard to remember her as anything but the Queen.
So, in honor of the first anniversary of her death, we’re taking a moment to remember Queen Elizabeth’s unforgettable life. These photos of Elizabeth over the years showcase a side to the monarch you may have forgotten.
A version of this story was originally published in 2021.
1926
Princess Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926 to the Duke and Duchess of York.
1927
Baby Princess Elizabeth is taken for a ride in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
1933
Princess Elizabeth accompanies her uncle, Prince of Wales, on a visit to Balmoral, Scotland.
1935
Princess Elizabeth is just 9 years old in this photo in this photo from her usual Trooping the Colour position.
1936
Princess Elizabeth’s love of dogs started young: here, she holds a Pembrokeshire Corgi who’s being fed by Princess Margaret.
1937
Princess Elizabeth attends King George VI’s coronation ceremony.
1938
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose sit in the royal box watching the jumping at the Pony Show.
1940
Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret ride in a pony cart at a country residence.
1942
Princess Elizabeth shows up in a Girl Guide uniform for the nation’s youth registration plan.
1943
Patrol leader Princess Elizabeth learns how to tie complex knots under the guidance of a pro.
1944
Two sisters, both alike in dignity: Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, right before the Windsor Royal Horse.
1945
Princess Elizabeth gets a clock presented to her during ceremonies at the No. 1 M.T. Training Center.
1945
Prime Minister Winston Churchill joins the royal family (Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, King George VI, and Princess Margaret) on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on VE Day.
1946
Princess Elizabeth was once just another royal bridesmaid, pictured here with Princess Alexandra and Princess Margaret Rose at the wedding of Hon. Patricia Mountbatten and Capt. Lord Brabourne.
1946
Before there was Prince Philip, there was…Captain Humphreys? Here, Princess Elizabeth dances with him at the Navy League Ball.
1947
Princess Elizabeth visits South Africa for her 21st birthday.
1947
Princess Elizabeth poses with dashing fiancé, Lt. Philip Mountbatten, at Buckingham Palace.
1947
Princess Elizabeth leaves Westminster Abbey with her husband the Duke of Edinburgh after their wedding ceremony.
1947
Princess Elizabeth looks over wedding photos with new husband the Duke of Edinburgh.
1948
Princess Elizabeth studies a chart of New Zealand barque Pamir at Shadwell Basin.
1949
Princess Elizabeth accepts a bouquet from Sylvia Layzell at the Jersey Channel Islands.
1949
Hello, glamour. Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose make a splash arriving at the London Casino.
1951
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh welcome guests at the Canada Club.
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