Today marks the day The Queen acceded to the throne after the death of her father, George VI; it also marks the beginning of her 70th year as Monarch and her Platinum Jubilee.
To celebrate the historic occasion, we’ve selected our top 70 photos of The Queen throughout her reign.
The Queen pictured with The Duke of Edinburgh during the tour of Nigeria in 1956. The couple watched a charge by locals at Kaduna.
The Queen traveling from Westminster to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession on the final day of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
At the ends of a tour around South London marking the Diamond Jubilee, children gathered outside Holly Lodge to present flowers to The Queen as she leaves at the end of a visit to Richmond. We wonder how many bunches of flowers The Queen has received throughout her 70-year reign?!
The Queen pictured during a royal visit to Turkey in 1971.
(Flickr)
No time like family time! The Queen pictured with her husband and children during a state visit to Canada in 1976.
(Flickr)
One was most amused! The Queen was reduced to a fit of giggles when a ’17th century’ military officer clad in armour had a little trouble sitting down next to her. The monarch saw the funny side of things.
To honour the memory of The Duke of Edinburgh after his passing, a new breed of deep pink rose from Harkness Roses was officially named in memory of Prince Philip. The Queen was given the rose at Windsor Castle and said the flower was ‘lovely’ and thanked them for the ‘very kind’ gesture.
The Queen Elizabeth II receives a Duke of Edinburgh rose, from Keith Weed, President of the Royal Horticultural Society
One of the most high-profile royal events of 2021 was The Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral. The Queen sitting all alone without her family to comfort her became one of the most iconic photographs of 2021.
The Queen looks towards Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh’s coffin during his funeral service
The world might have experienced a pandemic, but that didn’t stop the 95-year-old Monarch from still carrying out engagements. The Queen moved to a virtual environment, like most of us. She was always filled with joy whilst carrying out the virtual engagements.
The Queen – in residence at Windsor Castle – speaking by video link during a virtual diplomatic audience with His Excellency Dr. Ferenc Kumin, Ambassador of Hungary
A national treasure meets another! The Queen awarded Captain Tom Moore his knighthood, in a ceremony at Windsor Castle. Captain Tom, 100, captured the hearts of the UK when he aimed to walk 100 laps of his garden ahead of his big birthday, and raise £1000 for NHS Charities Together. He said it was ‘the most special of days for me’.
The Queen used a sword belonging to her father, George VI, for Captain Tom’s investiture as a knight
The Queen pictured in front of a floral exhibit by the New Covent Garden Flower Market, which features an image of The Queen, in 2016.
Hello old friend! During a visit to the Roman site of Vindolanda near Hadrian’s Wall, The Queen encountered an old acquaintance – a corgi bred by Her Majesty.
The weather never stops The Queen – Her Majesty braved the tricky weather conditions as she presented rosettes to the Services Team Jumping contestants at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, but not before petting one of the horses!
In 2018, The Queen carried out her first engagement with The Duchess of Sussex. The pair carried out a number of engagements in Cheshire, included opening the Mersey Gateway Bridge as well as opening the Storyhouse Theatre.Embed from Getty Images
In 2012, The Queen carried out her first engagement with The Duchess of Cambridge along with Prince Philip. The trio visited Leicester as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.
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Whilst The Queen and The Duchess of Cambridge had attended many engagements together over the years, often with other members of the Royal Family, 2019 saw the pair carry out their first joint engagement, where they visited King’s College London to open Bush House, the latest education and learning facilities on the Strand Campus.Embed from Getty Images
The Queen of photobombing! Her Majesty photobombed a selfie being taken by members of Australia’s women’s hockey team during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
(IMAGE: Twitter).
1952 saw Dorothy Wilding snap numerous pictures of The Queen in her early reign. She was the first female appointed official royal photographer under George VI. This picture is the earliest royal portrait included in the Royal Collection Trust.
The 1952 portrait of The Queen taken by Dorothy Wilding. (Royal Collection Trust).
‘A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’ – by Ralph Heimans. The picture was for his diamond jubilee portrait of the monarch. Heimans described The Queen as ‘the ultimate subject’.
‘A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’ – by Ralph Heimans. (Ralph Heimans).
All aboard! We love this picture of The Queen on HMY Britannia in 1972. The picture was taken Her Majesty’s silver wedding anniversary tour of the Far East.
(Royal Collection Trust)
The Queen rarely shows strong emotion publicly, yet in 2002, Mark Stewart captured The Queen shedding a tear at the opening of Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey in 2002. It was also the year she had lost both her sister and mother.
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The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh leaving for the State Opening of Parliament in 2015.
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Let there be cake! In 2020, The Queen was joined by The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duchess of Cambridge, where Her Majesty cut a cake using a big sword. She eschewed the usual knife declaring it was more fun to use the big blade…!
The Queen cuts a cake with Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall and Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge at a reception in celebration of The Big Lunch initiative held at The Eden Project in Cornwall, during the G7 Summit.
The Queen’s official Coronation photograph taken by Cecil Beaton.
The Queen at her Coronation on 2nd June 1953 at Westminster Abbey (© Queen Elizabeth II/Royal Collection Trust)
He was her ‘strength and stay’ for all those years – The Queen and Philip marked their 70th wedding anniversary.
The Queen and Prince Philip are Britain’s longest married Monarch and consort!
The Queen attended a private service to mark 100 years since the burial of a serviceman at Westminster Abbey, in the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. Her Majesty had a replica bouquet from her wedding in 1947, placed on the grave.
The Queen wears a face mask at a ceremony to mark the centenary of the burial of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey. Picture by i-Images / Pool
Her Majesty pictured with the three future monarchs – her son, grandson, and great-grandson.
A photo of The Queen with Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George
The Queen is a lover of horses and we absolutely love this picture of The Queen riding one of her fell ponies in Windsor Great Park. It was shared in 2021.
The Queen rides Fell pony Fern in Windsor Great Park. PA/Buckingham Palace
The Queen surrounded by one of her favourite animals – dogs. 
Couple goals! To mark the 73rd wedding anniversary of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, a new photograph was released which saw the couple read an anniversary card from their great-grandchildren – Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte.
The Queen and Prince Philip read a card from Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. (Chris Jackson/Getty/Buckingham Palace)
Shortly after the death of Prince Philip, Buckingham Palace released this photograph of The Queen and her late husband. The photograph was taken by The Countess of Wessex during a holiday to Balmoral.
A new photo of The Queen and Prince Philip shows a happy summer holiday (@RoyalFamily)
To mark the start of The Queen’s Green Canopy, Her Majesty was joined by her eldest son, Charles, at a tree planting.
The Queen and Prince Charles planted the tree at Balmoral
Pretty in Pink – We love the way this little girl is looking up to The Queen. This picture was taken at St George’s Chapel on Easter Sunday after attending the Mattins service. The Queen is also wearing the Scallop Shell brooch.
Taken on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on The Queen’s coronation day. A young Elizabeth and Philip smile to crowds.
The Queen greets the crowds as she attended a Silver Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at St Paul’s Cathedral in 1977.
The Queen addressed guests at a dinner given by the Prime Minister of Canada at Fairmount Royal York Hotel in 2010. Her Majesty spoke in both English and French. 
The Queen during Trooping the Colour in 2013. 
The Queen seen inspecting the Guard of Honour outside Canadian Parliament, after arriving to attend the Canada Day celebrations in 2010.
The Queen leaves The Order of the Thistle Service wearing her robes in Edinburgh.
Taken during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in 2015. Her Majesty is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and lays a wreath on behalf of the nation.
The Queen looks upon a cabinet of medals issued during Queen Victoria’s reign during a visit to the medal room at the Ministry of Defence.
A key moment in The Queen’s 70 year reign – the investiture of The Prince of Wales deserves a place in our top 70 photos. The investiture took place on 1st July 1969, at Caernarfon Castle.
The Queen during her Coronation in 1953.
It’s too loud! The Queen and Prince Edward shielded their ears at RAF Finningley, during the Silver Jubilee Review of the Royal Air Force, July 1977.
We couldn’t not include our favourite photos without looking at some of The Queen’s impressive jewellery collection. Here The Queen is wearing here HMS Ocean brooch – it was a gift from the Captain and Officers of HMS Ocean in 2015, when she attended its rededication.
The Queen visits HMS Ocean, wearing her badge (Splash)
In the year of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday, a number of photographs were released to mark the occasion and this one of Anne and her mother is our favourite one!
To mark her 90th birthday. The Queen was featured on the cover of Vanity Fair, surrounded by her precious corgis and dorgis.
Maundy Thursday each year sees The Queen hand out Maundy Money to parishioners who have made a difference to their community; it’s a tradition that reflects Her Majesty’s role as head of the Church of England. Here she is with The Duke of Edinburgh in 1957.<
We still find this photograph of The Queen’s reaction to Prince Philip as a guard hilarious, much like she did in that moment.
It’s Christmas! The Queen smilies with joy as her great-grandson gets busy in making some Christmas puddings. The Queen soon stood back from the young Royal as his mixed the bowl.
A new photo of The Queen with her heirs (Kensington Palace)
Over the years, Her Majesty has met so many people from different walks of life – including Hollywood royalty.Embed from Getty Images
Walking amongst nature – The Queen shared a special moment with The Duchess of Cambridge as Catherine showed Her Majesty her garden at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The Queen with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, May 2019.
The Queen leaded the Royal Family onto the balcony during a Trooping the Colour celebration in 2019. 
A day in the life of The Queen – every morning she reads the important government documents delivered in the iconic red box.
The Queen sits at her desk with her red box of official government papers. Mary McCartney
In a speech for COP26, The Queen wore green (a nice touch to the environment) and paid tribute to Prince Philip, noting how environmental issues had been a passion of his.
The Queen gave a message to attendees at COP26 urging them to come together to tackle climate change. (Royal Family/Twitter).
A tradition continued by Elizabeth II was that of the Christmas message, but she brought it up to date in 1957 by broadcasting live from Sandringham on the TV!
The Queen looking pretty in peach!
Take aim! Fire! – The Queen having a go at using a battle rifle.
The Queen meeting baby Archie – one of her five great-grandsons.
In 2012, the Diamond Jubilee Concert took place outside of Buckingham Palace. The Queen was invite don stage by Prince Charles, who publicly called her his ‘Mama’.
The Prince of Wales kisses the hand of The Queen at the Diamond Jubilee Concert held at Buckingham Palace, London on Monday, 4th June 2012. Photo by: i-Images
The Queen wearing the Imperial State Crown – she once described it as heavy.
The Queen meeting the crowds during her Silver Jubilee.
The Queen during her Silver Jubilee. (Royal Collection Trust).
Taken during the 1956 royal tour of Nigeria, The Queen seen after the presentation of a Loyal Address by Dr. Azikiwe, Premier of the Eastern Region.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee portrait for New Zealand. via GGNZ
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee portrait for New Zealand. via GGNZ
We sometimes forget how many world events Her Majesty has seen and world leaders. She meets Ronald Reagan on a State Visit to the US in 1983.
President and Mrs. Reagan attend a state dinner with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. (The U.S. National Archives)
Elizabeth became Queen when she was just 25 (and mother-of-two); she raised four children whilst reigning.
After the death of her uncle, The Queen tried to mend bridges with The Duchess of Windsor; Wallis was invited to stay at Buckingham Palace whilst in the UK for the Duke’s funeral.
One of Her Majesty’s passionate interests is horse racing. In 2013, her horse, Estimate, won at Gold Cup at Ascot. Embed from Getty Images
The Queen poses with the Yeomen of the Guard, a regiment that was created by Henry VII, in 1974.
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