Written By: Taylor Gilkison
This year marks Elizabeth II’s seventieth year as Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom, an anniversary commemorated with a Platinum Jubilee.
On February 6th, 2022, Queen Elizabeth officially became the longest reigning British monarch. She assumed the role of Queen at age 25 after the passing of her father, King George VI.
This milestone puts the Queen in a rare position, as only three other monarchs in modern history have reigned for seventy years or more: Louis XIV of France, Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, and Johann II of Lichtenstein. At 95 years of age, Queen Elizabeth is also the longest-lived British monarch. She has been seen by many around the world as a safeguard of stability for the British people, and while her reign—especially recently—has not gone without scandal, she has continued to endure, persevere, and celebrate her home country. As the longest-serving female monarch, she has seen thirteen US Presidents come and go, as well as fourteen British Prime Ministers.
Numerous LIFE photographers have captured images of the Queen both domestically and abroad—from her wedding to her tour of North America—and below you will find 70 photos from our archives of Her Majesty to honor her 70 years of service. As LIFE wrote in its Februay 18, 1952 issue, when Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne:
…the people saw a good omen in Elizabeth’s name; as under the first Elizabeth, four centuries ago, England might rise and prosper again. The queen was on her throne and there was scarcely a [person] in the wide free world who would not say, God save her.
Princess Elizabeth (R) and Princess Margaret (L).
England’s Princess Elizabeth (R) holding Corgi as sister Princess Margaret Rose offers a biscuit.
Princess Elizabeth (C) reviewing the Grenadier guards on her birthday.
Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth, a first-time spectator of American football, sitting in the stands while watching the Univ. of Maryland vs. Univ. of North Carolina football game at College Park’s Byrd Stadium during her official visit to the US.
Heading To The Logan Stone
Princess Elizabeth (R) being led to the Logan Stone to be presented to the Arch Druid in United Kingdom in August 1946
Queen Elizabeth II with Kwame Nkrumah during her visit to Ghana, November 1961.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour of India.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour of India.
Queen’s Visit To Ethiopia
A picture of Queen Elizabeth II wearing ornaments of Ethiopian highest order, addressing Emperor Haile Selassie in the Great Throne Hall of the Menelik Palace in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February of 1965.
Queen’s Visit To Ethiopia
Woman giving a bouquet of flowers to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Ethiopian and Sudan in February of 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, at the opening of the Canadian Parliament.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, during their visit to Williamsburg.
Queen Elizabeth II, riding in coach.
Queen Elizabeth II in front of microphones while awaiting to reply to to the welcoming speech at University College of West Indies.
A picture of Queen Elizabeth II and an unidentified man during her visit to Sudan in February of 1965.
A picture of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Sudan in February of 1965.
A picture of Queen Elizabeth II with President Dr. Tigani El Mahi and others in a Textile mill during her visit to Sudan in February of 1965.
A picture of Queen Elizabeth II with President Dr. Tigani El Mahi and others in a Textile mill during her visit to Sudan in February of 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II & Duke of Edinburgh in Portugal, 1957.
Queen Elizabeth II & Duke of Edinburgh in Portugal, 1957.
Queen Elizabeth And Prince Philip
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attending the opening of Canadian Parliament, Ontario, Canada, October 1957.
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II with her guards, visiting Canada, 1964.
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
Portrait of Elizabeth II, Queen of England by Pietro Annigoni.
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Queen Elizabeth II in uniform
Elizabeth II, Queen of England in Army uniform.
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Queen Elizabeth II in uniform
Elizabeth II, Queen of England in Army uniform.
Elizabeth II, Queen of England
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II, Queen of England.
Queen Elizabeth II receiving flowers In Germany.
Queen Elizabeth II receiving flowers In Germany.
Queen Elizabeth II’s royal tour to Ghana.
Queen Elizabeth II’s royal tour to Ghana.
Queen Elizabeth II during her 1966 tour of the Caribbean.
Queen Elizabeth II during her 1966 tour of the Caribbean.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour of India.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour of India.
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II smiling during her tour in India, 1961.
Royal Tour – Queen Elizabeth II and Harry Truman at press conference
Royal Tour – Queen Elizabeth II and Harry Truman at press conference
Queen Elizabeth II and Harry Truman in motorcade.
Queen Elizabeth II and Harry Truman in motorcade.
Royal Tour – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit the United States.
Royal Tour – Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit the United States.
Queen Elizabeth’s Tour
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Nassau, The Bahamas, 1966.
Queen Elizabeth’s Tour
Queen Elizabeth during tour in Nassau, Bahamas, 1966 .
Queen Elizabeth’s Tour
Queen Elizabeth speaking on stage during her tour in Nassau, Bahamas, 1966.
British Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Ethiopia.
A close-up of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Ethiopia in February of 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II at a formal dinner during her visit to Ethiopia.
Queen Elizabeth II at a formal dinner during her visit to Ethiopia.
Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh visit Bermuda.
Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh visit Bermuda.
Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh visit Bermuda
Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh visit Bermuda
Queen’s Visit To Norway
Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Norway, 1955.
Queen Elizabeth In Nigeria
Queen Elizabeth sitting with men in uniforms during tour in Nigeria, 1956.
King And Queen
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Jamaica, 1953.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour in Nigeria.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour in Nigeria.
King and Queen of England
Officer saluting as Queen Elizabeth II steps out of the plane during her arrival in Jamaica, 1953.
Queen’s visit to Ethiopia
Queen Elizabeth II sitting at a table during her visit to Sudan in February of 1965.
Queen’s visit to Ethiopia
Close-up of Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Sudan in February of 1965.
Queen’s visit to Ethiopia
Queen Elizabeth II having a conversation at race track in Khartoum City during her visit to Sudan in February of 1965.
Photograph of Queen Elizabeth II on her tour of India.
Photograph of Queen Elizabeth II on her tour of India.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour of India and Nepal.
Queen Elizabeth II’s tour of India and Nepal.
Queen Elizabeth In Caribbean
Queen Elizabeth II reading from book during Caribbean tour, circa 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II sitting next to Prince Philip while holding an umbrella during a royal tour in the Caribbean, 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II walking along with officials during a royal tour in the Caribbean, 1965.
Queen Elizabeth II, riding a horse, during trooping the colors ceremony in 1949.
Princess Elizabeth talking with U.S. President Harry S. Truman, Washington DC, November 1951.
Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II walking with Richard Nixon during her North American tour in Washington, District of Columbia, 1957.
Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to North America.
Princess Margaret (left), the future Queen Elizabeth II (third from left) and the Queen Mother (third from right) with the Grenadier guards on the occasion of Princess Elizabeth’s birthday, 1942.
David E. Scherman The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
LIFE Cover: October 28, 1957
LIFE cover featuring Queen Elizabeth II opening Canada’s parliament, published October 28, 1957.
Queen Elizabeth II shook hands with a well-wisher while standing next to the General and Governor of Bermuda, Sir Alexander Hood, 1961.
Lisa Larsen The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
LIFE Cover: March 4, 1957
LIFE cover featuring Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh, published March 4, 1957.
England’s Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh wait with their hosts, Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia and his son, the Crown Prince, before they enter the New Cathedral of St. Mary of Zion. Axum, Ethiopia, 1965.
John Loengard
HM Queen Elizabeth II, 1951
© Yousuf Karsh
Queen Elizabeth at College Park’s Byrd Stadium during her 1957 North American tour.
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Original caption: ” Decorated girl scout, Jennifer Ankers, gets notice. `You have a lot of medals,’ said Philip. `Six,’ she replied. In back is Governor Thomas Stanley.”
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
Original caption: “With `Parson,’ Queen visits James Fort Church replica.”
Ed Clark The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
The royal family gathered on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during a celebration of the centenary of the Royal Air Force on July 10, 2018; pictured are (left to right) are Prince Edward and wife Sophie, Prince Charles and wife Camilla, Queen Elizabeth II, Meghan Markle with husband Prince Harry, and Prince William and Kate.
TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Shutterstock
Queen Elizabeth II (right) and Prince Philip on a tour of Trinidad and Tobago, 1966.
Michael Rougier The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
