Queen Elizabeth II Through the Years (Photos)

As Great Britain mourns the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the country’s longest-ruling monarch who died on Thursday at the age of 96, Variety is taking a look back at the beloved ruler through photos.

The Queen died at Balmoral, her palace in the Scottish Highlands, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Earlier this year, she celebrated her Platinum Jubilee, marking a record-breaking 70 years on Great Britain’s throne.

Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in 1952, and reigned through 15 British prime ministers and 14 U.S. presidents, meeting with all of them except Lyndon Johnson. As a cultural icon, the Queen also met with many major celebrities, including the Beatles, Elton John and Spice Girls.

Princess Elizabeth and Corgis
Princess Elizabeth has always had a love for corgis. Here she is at age 10 with two corgis at her home at 145 Piccadilly in London in July 1936.
Crown Princess Elizabeth With Her Pony
Elizabeth was also fond of horseback riding, pictured here with a pony at age 10.
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret
A 20-year-old Princess Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret at the Royal Lodge in July 1946.
Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten
Princess Elizabeth and Lt. Philip Mountbatten pose for an engagement portrait in July 1947.
Future Queen Marries
Princess Elizabeth with her husband Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, on their wedding day in November 1947.
Harry Truman and Elizabeth
U.S. President Harry S. Truman and Princess Elizabeth ride in a car together in October 1951.
Queen Elizabeth II After Her Coronation
Queen Elizabeth II poses for an official portrait after her coronation in 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on Coronation Day
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on their Coronation Day in June 1953.
Queen and Winston Churchill
Queen Elizabeth II with Sir Winston Churchill, and her children Prince Charles and Princess Anne in 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II of England
Queen Elizabeth II poses for an official color portrait.
Royal Family at Balmoral
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, with their children, Prince Andrew (center), Princess Anne (left) and Charles, Prince of Wales, sitting on a picnic rug outside Balmoral Castle in September 1960.
John F. Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy pay a visit to the royal family in England in June 1961.
The Queen Meets the Beatles
The Beatles meet the Queen in November 1963, after their appearance at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
Royal Family at Buckingham Palace
The royal family at Buckingham Palace in 1972. Left to right: Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth, Prince Edward and Prince Charles.
The Queen Meets Elton John
Elton John and David Frost meet the Queen at her Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Prince Charles’ Wedding
Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles and Princess Diana on their wedding day in July 1981.
Queen and President Reagan
Queen Elizabeth II made President Ronald Reagan laugh during her visit to the U.S. in 1983.
Queen With Harry and William
Queen Elizabeth II with her grandchildren, Prince Harry and Prince William.
Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philips and the Clintons
President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton visit Great Britain in 1995.
Queen With Spice Girls
The Queen met British girl group Spice Girls in 1997.
Queen Elizabeth and Daniel Craig
Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with Daniel Craig at the Royal Premiere for “Casino Royale” in 2006.
Queen Elizabeth and the Obamas
Queen Elizabeth II had lunch with Barack and Michelle Obama during their visit to Great Britain in April 2016.
Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee
Queen Elizabeth II and her great-grandchild Prince George at her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.

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Artie Phelan

Update: 2024-10-15