World

Photos from the life of Queen Elizabeth II, who has died at age 96

By Ethan Hyman

Updated September 9, 2022 5:56 PM

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles while receiving the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola Cassis during an audience at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, April 28, 2022. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles while receiving the President of Switzerland Ignazio Cassis and his wife Paola Cassis during an audience at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England, April 28, 2022. Dominic Lipinski AP/Pool

Take a look back at some memorable images from the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who became Queen of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms in 1952 when she was 25 years old.

During that time, she met every U.S. president since Dwight Eisenhower, with the exception of Lyndon Baines Johnson.

Queen Elizabeth ll died Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, at age 96. She was queen for 70 years.

Her son Charles becomes King Charles lll.

Britain’s Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, pats a prize-winner’s horse from the children’s jumping class at the Richmond Royal Horse Show, June 15, 1934. The Duchess of York watches far right. — Britain’s Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, pats a prize-winner’s horse from the children’s jumping class at the Richmond Royal Horse Show, June 15, 1934. The Duchess of York watches far right. AP file photo

Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alice, are seen on their wedding day at Buckingham Palace, London, Nov. 6, 1935. From left to right back row, Miss Calre Phipps, Lady Elizabeth Scott, Queen Mary, the bridegroom, the bride, King George V, Lady Angela Scott and Miss Moyra Scott. Front row, Lady Mary Cambridge, Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret Rose and Miss Anne Hawlins. — Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, Princess Alice, are seen on their wedding day at Buckingham Palace, London, Nov. 6, 1935. From left to right back row, Miss Calre Phipps, Lady Elizabeth Scott, Queen Mary, the bridegroom, the bride, King George V, Lady Angela Scott and Miss Moyra Scott. Front row, Lady Mary Cambridge, Princess Elizabeth, Princess Margaret Rose and Miss Anne Hawlins. AP file photo

Britain’s Prince Charles, watched by, from left, King George VI, Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth, sits on a sculpture of a deer in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Scotland, in August 1951. — Britain’s Prince Charles, watched by, from left, King George VI, Princess Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth, sits on a sculpture of a deer in the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Scotland, in August 1951. AP file photo

Queen Elizabeth II, wearing her crown, center foreground, leads the procession through Westminster Abbey’s nave after her coronation in London, England, June 2, 1953. — Queen Elizabeth II, wearing her crown, center foreground, leads the procession through Westminster Abbey’s nave after her coronation in London, England, June 2, 1953. AP file photo

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, gather with other members of the British Royal Family to greet supporters from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, following her coronation which took place in Westminster Abbey. London, June. 2, 1953. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, gather with other members of the British Royal Family to greet supporters from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, following her coronation which took place in Westminster Abbey. London, June. 2, 1953. AP file photo

Queen Elizabeth turns and smiles while Prince Philip points and shouts something as the royal couple pass the famed Statue of Liberty on the Army ferryboat carrying them from Staten Island to Manhattan for their one-day visit to New York City, on Oct. 21, 1957. — Queen Elizabeth turns and smiles while Prince Philip points and shouts something as the royal couple pass the famed Statue of Liberty on the Army ferryboat carrying them from Staten Island to Manhattan for their one-day visit to New York City, on Oct. 21, 1957. AP file photo

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II addresses a vast gathering of more than a quarter of a million at the Ramlila Grounds, a huge public meeting place outside the walls of Old Delhi, India, Jan. 28, 1961. It was by far the largest audience ever directly addressed by the Sovereign. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II addresses a vast gathering of more than a quarter of a million at the Ramlila Grounds, a huge public meeting place outside the walls of Old Delhi, India, Jan. 28, 1961. It was by far the largest audience ever directly addressed by the Sovereign. AP file photo

Queen Elizabeth 11 and President John Kennedy pose in Buckingham Palace in London June 5, 1961. The Kennedys were guests of the Queen and Prince Philip for dinner at the Palace. — Queen Elizabeth 11 and President John Kennedy pose in Buckingham Palace in London June 5, 1961. The Kennedys were guests of the Queen and Prince Philip for dinner at the Palace. AP file photo

The Rock towers over Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh drive past the assembled ranks of troops and lines of bombers, during a review of the services at North Front Airfield after they had arrived in Gibraltar, on May 10, 1954. — The Rock towers over Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh drive past the assembled ranks of troops and lines of bombers, during a review of the services at North Front Airfield after they had arrived in Gibraltar, on May 10, 1954. Eddie Worth AP file photo

On the hallowed fields of Magna Carta, close to the River Thames at Runneymede, Surrey, on May 14, 1965, Queen Elizabeth II, with Mrs Jackie Kennedy at her side, dedicated Britain’s memorial to the late American President John F. Kennedy. The seven ton Portland stone memorial and the historic ground around became American property, in perpetuity, a gift from the British people. Standing to attention whilst the National Anthem is played are from left to right, Queen Elizabeth II, Lord David Harlech, Chairman of the Trustees, Caroline Kennedy, Mrs Jackie Kennedy, John Kennedy Jr. holding the Duke of Edinburgh’s hand. — On the hallowed fields of Magna Carta, close to the River Thames at Runneymede, Surrey, on May 14, 1965, Queen Elizabeth II, with Mrs Jackie Kennedy at her side, dedicated Britain’s memorial to the late American President John F. Kennedy. The seven ton Portland stone memorial and the historic ground around became American property, in perpetuity, a gift from the British people. Standing to attention whilst the National Anthem is played are from left to right, Queen Elizabeth II, Lord David Harlech, Chairman of the Trustees, Caroline Kennedy, Mrs Jackie Kennedy, John Kennedy Jr. holding the Duke of Edinburgh’s hand. AP file photo

American singer and actor Frank Sinatra is presented to Queen Elizabeth II in the foyer of the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, London, October 27, 1958, at the premiere of Danny Kaye’s film, “Me And The Colonel”. Beyond him (partially obscured) is French actress Nicole Maurey. — American singer and actor Frank Sinatra is presented to Queen Elizabeth II in the foyer of the Odeon Theatre, Leicester Square, London, October 27, 1958, at the premiere of Danny Kaye’s film, “Me And The Colonel”. Beyond him (partially obscured) is French actress Nicole Maurey. AP file photo

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill bids farewell to Queen Elizabeth II at the end of a dinner he hosted at No. 10 Downing Street in London on April 4, 1955. Lady Churchill stands in the doorway as she follows the queen. — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill bids farewell to Queen Elizabeth II at the end of a dinner he hosted at No. 10 Downing Street in London on April 4, 1955. Lady Churchill stands in the doorway as she follows the queen. AP file photo

With heads bowed, the Queen and Mother Teresa look at the Insignia of the Honorary Order of Merit which Her majesty has just presented to the Lady of Calcutta, at the Rashtrapati Shavar, in New Delhi, Thursday, November 24, 1983. — With heads bowed, the Queen and Mother Teresa look at the Insignia of the Honorary Order of Merit which Her majesty has just presented to the Lady of Calcutta, at the Rashtrapati Shavar, in New Delhi, Thursday, November 24, 1983. Anonymous AP file photo

Queen Elizabeth II talks to troops at the Singapore Armed Forces training institute during her visit on February 19, 1972. The Queen watched a mock battle demonstration. — Queen Elizabeth II talks to troops at the Singapore Armed Forces training institute during her visit on February 19, 1972. The Queen watched a mock battle demonstration. Max Nash AP file photo

In this file photo dated July 7, 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford dances with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in the State Dining Room at the White House, following a State Dinner in the queen’s honor. — In this file photo dated July 7, 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford dances with Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in the State Dining Room at the White House, following a State Dinner in the queen’s honor. John Duricka AP file photo

In this June 8, 1982 file photo, U.S. President Ronald Reagan, on Centennial, and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, on Burmese, go horseback riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle, England. — In this June 8, 1982 file photo, U.S. President Ronald Reagan, on Centennial, and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, on Burmese, go horseback riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle, England. Bob Daugherty AP file photo

Prince Charles and his bride Diana, Princess of Wales, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their marriage July 29, 1981, at St. Paul’s Catheral. — Prince Charles and his bride Diana, Princess of Wales, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their marriage July 29, 1981, at St. Paul’s Catheral. AP file photo

In this Wednesday, 15, 1991 file photo, US President George H.W. Bush escorts Queen Elizabeth II from the White House to a helicopter en route to Baltimore to watch her first major league baseball game, in Washington. — In this Wednesday, 15, 1991 file photo, US President George H.W. Bush escorts Queen Elizabeth II from the White House to a helicopter en route to Baltimore to watch her first major league baseball game, in Washington. Doug Mills AP file photo

In this Aug. 4, 1987 file photo, Britain’s Diana, Princess of Wales, left, and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smile to well-wishers outside Clarence House in London.For someone who began her life in the spotlight as “Shy Di,” Princess Diana became an unlikely, revolutionary during her years in the House of Windsor. — In this Aug. 4, 1987 file photo, Britain’s Diana, Princess of Wales, left, and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smile to well-wishers outside Clarence House in London.For someone who began her life in the spotlight as “Shy Di,” Princess Diana became an unlikely, revolutionary during her years in the House of Windsor. Martin Cleaver AP file photo

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and the President George Bush walk through the gardens of the White House in Washington DC, Monday, May 7, 2007, during the official visit by the queen. In a slip of the tongue, President George W. Bush brought roars of laughter to a White House welcoming ceremony Monday for Queen Elizabeth II. The president stumbled on a line in his speech, saying that the queen had dined with 10 U.S. presidents and had helped the United States “celebrate its bicentennial in 17 ... .” Bush caught himself and corrected the date to 1976. He paused as if to see if the queen had taken offense. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and the President George Bush walk through the gardens of the White House in Washington DC, Monday, May 7, 2007, during the official visit by the queen. In a slip of the tongue, President George W. Bush brought roars of laughter to a White House welcoming ceremony Monday for Queen Elizabeth II. The president stumbled on a line in his speech, saying that the queen had dined with 10 U.S. presidents and had helped the United States “celebrate its bicentennial in 17 ... .” Bush caught himself and corrected the date to 1976. He paused as if to see if the queen had taken offense. Fiona Hanson AP/Pool

Britain Prince Charles, right, kisses the hand of his mother Queen Elizabeth II after he was presented with a Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honour during a visit to Chelsea Flower Show in London, Monday, May 18, 2009. The Victoria Medal of Honour is the highest accolade that the Royal Horticultural Society can bestow. — Britain Prince Charles, right, kisses the hand of his mother Queen Elizabeth II after he was presented with a Royal Horticultural Society’s Victoria Medal of Honour during a visit to Chelsea Flower Show in London, Monday, May 18, 2009. The Victoria Medal of Honour is the highest accolade that the Royal Horticultural Society can bestow. SANG TAN AP file photo

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II reviews the troops during the presentation of new Queen’s Colour and Regimental Colour to the First Battalion of the Irish Regiment of Foot Guards at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II reviews the troops during the presentation of new Queen’s Colour and Regimental Colour to the First Battalion of the Irish Regiment of Foot Guards at Windsor Castle, Windsor, England, Wednesday, May 6, 2009. SANG TAN AP/Pool

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II makes an address next to her husband The Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Hall in London, Tuesday, March 20, 2012. The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee today by paying tribute to the British virtues of “resilience, ingenuity and tolerance”, and to the Duke of Edinburgh, her “constant strength and guide” over the decades. In a landmark address to both Houses of Parliament the monarch repeated her vow made on Accession Day in February to “rededicate myself to the service of our great country”. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II makes an address next to her husband The Duke of Edinburgh at Westminster Hall in London, Tuesday, March 20, 2012. The Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee today by paying tribute to the British virtues of “resilience, ingenuity and tolerance”, and to the Duke of Edinburgh, her “constant strength and guide” over the decades. In a landmark address to both Houses of Parliament the monarch repeated her vow made on Accession Day in February to “rededicate myself to the service of our great country”. Kirsty Wigglesworth AP/Pool

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II holds on to her hat in high winds as she arrives for a visit to RAF Valley, Anglesey, Wales, where her grandson Prince William, is stationed as a search and rescue helicopter pilot Friday April 1, 2011. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II holds on to her hat in high winds as she arrives for a visit to RAF Valley, Anglesey, Wales, where her grandson Prince William, is stationed as a search and rescue helicopter pilot Friday April 1, 2011. Christopher Furlong ASSOCIATED PRESS

In this May 25, 2011, file photo, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a reciprocal dinner at Winfield House in London. — In this May 25, 2011, file photo, President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a reciprocal dinner at Winfield House in London. Charles Dharapak AP file photo

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles with Prince Philip, right, Prince William, centre, his son Prince George, front, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge holding Princess Charlotte, left, on the balcony during the Trooping The Colour parade at Buckingham Palace, in London, Saturday, June 11, 2016. Hundreds of soldiers in ceremonial dress have marched in London in the annual Trooping the Colour parade to mark the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The Trooping the Colour tradition originates from preparations for battle, when flags were carried or “trooped” down the rank for soldiers to see. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II smiles with Prince Philip, right, Prince William, centre, his son Prince George, front, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge holding Princess Charlotte, left, on the balcony during the Trooping The Colour parade at Buckingham Palace, in London, Saturday, June 11, 2016. Hundreds of soldiers in ceremonial dress have marched in London in the annual Trooping the Colour parade to mark the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. The Trooping the Colour tradition originates from preparations for battle, when flags were carried or “trooped” down the rank for soldiers to see. Tim Ireland AP file photo

President Donald Trump with Queen Elizabeth II, inspecting the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England in 2018. — President Donald Trump with Queen Elizabeth II, inspecting the Guard of Honour at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England in 2018. Pablo Martinez Monsivais AP file photo

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II waits in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral, in Scotland, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, where Truss was invited to become Prime Minister and form a new government. — Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II waits in the Drawing Room before receiving Liz Truss for an audience at Balmoral, in Scotland, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022, where Truss was invited to become Prime Minister and form a new government. Jane Barlow AP/Pool

This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 11:38 AM.