Queen Elizabeth II: A life in pictures
In 2016, the Radio Times described Queen Elizabeth II as 'the most photographed woman in the world'. Unlike those who ruled before her, the Queen reigned in an era where cameras became commonplace. Indeed, by the end of her reign, almost every one of her subjects would carry around a camera in their mobile phones.
Sky HISTORY reflects on the life of Queen Elizabeth II, through the photographs that capture her years of service.
Above: 28th December 1953 - A young Queen Elizabeth II during the Royal Tour of New Zealand state visit of 1953 / 1954.
Above Image Credit: The image is sourced from Communicate New Zealand - National Archives - CNZ Collection. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Above: 1970 - Queen Elizabeth II, visiting Townsville. It was during this tour of Australia and New Zealand that the Queen broke centuries of tradition and introduced the 'Royal walkabout', a practice where members of the Royal Family stop and talk to crowds that gather in the street. The 'Royal walkabout' was a practice that continued for the rest of Queen Elizabeth II's reign.
Above Image Credit: http://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/Image/DigitalImageDetails.aspx?ImageId=9736 This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia license.
Above: 26th February 1977 - Queen Elizabeth II meeting Brian Elwood, mayor of Palmerston North, during a royal walkabout in The Square. This meeting formed a part of Queen Elizabeth II's New Zealand state tour of 1977.
Above Image Credit: https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/item/6a276431-38cb-4869-ad61-1e4f273316e6 This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. By Attribution Alone, Palmerston North City Library.
Above: 30th April 1988 - Queen Elizabeth II opening World Expo 88, in Brisbane, Australia. The theme of the event was "Leisure in the Age of Technology" and the expo attracted over 15,760,000 visitors from around the world.
Above Image Credit: Queensland State Archives, Item ID ITM1471704, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II opening Expo 88, Brisbane. Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Above: June / July 1992 - Queen Elizabeth II in Ottawa during a state visit to Canada in 1992, to celebrate both the 125th anniversary of Canada and her 40th year on the throne.
Above Image Credit: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
Above: 2nd November 2004 - Queen Elizabeth II travelling in her car during a state visit in Berlin, Germany.
Above Image Credit: 360b / Shutterstock.com
Above: 4th May 2007 - Queen Elizabeth II and Vice President Dick Cheney observe a ceremony at James Fort, Jamestown Settlement, Virginia, USA as part of the Queen's state visit to the USA from the 3rd - 8th May 2007.
Above Image Credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com
Above: 16th June 2007 - Queen Elizabeth II travels by carriage, during the Trooping the Colour ceremony.
Above Image Credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com
Above: 14th March 2008 - Queen Elizabeth II smiles, after officially opening the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. She also opened Heathrow's first terminal back in 1955.
Above Image Credit: Alessia Pierdomenico / Shutterstock.com
Above: 1st April 2009 - Queen Elizabeth II meeting Barack and Michelle Obama during their UK state visit. It was during this meeting that Barack Obama gave Queen Elizabeth II an iPod as a gift. The iPod was said to contain music including Broadway tunes and a songbook for 'The King and I'.
Above Image Credit: P040109PS-0691_1 The Official White House Photostream | Author: Pete Souza | Copyright Holder: The Official White House Photostream
Above: 16th June 2012 - Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh stand on the Buckingham Palace Balcony after attending the Trooping Of The Colour at Horse Guards Parade, London, UK.
Above Image Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
Above: 18th November 2014 - Queen Elizabeth II formally launched the Queen Elizabeth II Academy for Leadership in International Affairs at Chatham House. Former British Prime Minister John Major can be seen in the background of this photograph.
Above Image Credit: Chatham House | This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
Above: 22nd June 2017 - Queen Elizabeth II heads to Royal Ascot in a landau carriage, as part of the daily procession for the popular horse-racing event.
Above Image Credit: Chris Allan / Shutterstock.com
Above: 6th September 2018 - Queen Elizabeth II rides to the Trooping of the Colour, in a horse-drawn carriage.
Above Image Credit: John Hitchins / Shutterstock.com
Above: 24th May 2019 - Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Covent Garden in London to visit a replica of one of the original Sainsbury's supermarkets, to celebrate Sainsbury's 150th anniversary.
Above Image Credit: Fred Duval / Shutterstock.com
Above: 22nd May 2021 - Queen Elizabeth II meets marines and sailors aboard the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth. HMS Queen Elizabeth is the largest vessel in the Royal Navy fleet.
Above Image Credit: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/may/22/230521-carrier-strike-departs | This file is licensed under the United Kingdom Open Government Licence v3.0 | Author: Royal Navy