Over the next 70 days, as we countdown to the Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend, we’ll be sharing an image a day of The Queen – each representing a year of Her Majesty’s 70-year long reign.
First photographic sitting
Just twenty days after The Queen’s Accession to the throne, Her Majesty sat for her first official photographs.
Taken by Dorothy Wilding, these photographs were used as the basis for Her Majesty’s image on new coins, banknotes and stamps.
The Coronation
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey.
Her Majesty is pictured during the Crowning Ceremony, seated on the Coronation Chair, wearing the St. Edward Crown and carrying the Sovereign’s Sceptre and Rod.
Commonwealth Tour
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh wave to crowds as they travel to Parliament House, Brisbane, Australia. Her Majesty’s reign commenced with her longest ever Commonwealth tour – from November 1953 to May 1954 she travelled 44,000 miles, visiting 13 countries.
State Visit to Norway
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh are joined by King Haakon VII and members of the Norwegian Royal Family during a State Visit to the country. State Visits, both outward and inward, play an integral role in strengthening Britain's relationships with countries across the world.
Trooping the Colour
The Queen rides down the Mall following the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Horse Guards Parade. Also known as The Queen’s Birthday Parade, the ceremony has marked the official birthday of the British Sovereign for over 260 years.
A Royal Gift
During a visit to the Channel Islands, The Queen is presented with a gift from the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society – a Jersey cow named Lady. Her Majesty has received many animal gifts over the years, including jaguars and sloths from Brazil which were placed in the care of zoos.
State Opening of Parliament
For the first time in history, the Sovereign is photographed reading the Speech at the State Opening of Parliament. Traditions surrounding State Opening and the delivery of a speech by the Monarch can be traced back as far as the 16th century.
The Queen's Red Box
The Queen is pictured with one of her famous red boxes, which contains official documents and papers. Over the past 70 years, Her Majesty has received daily papers from her Private Secretaries, in person or via a red despatch box.
French State Visit
The Queen and President Charles de Gaulle are pictured in a carnation-decorated box at the Royal Opera House, following a special performance during a French State Visit. Her Majesty is fluent in French and often uses the language during Audiences and State Visits.
President John F. Kennedy visits
President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy are welcomed by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace. There have been fourteen US Presidents during Her Majesty’s Reign, and with the exception of President Johnson, The Queen has met each one.
A special Garden Party
The Queen chats to Major Parkash Singh VC during a Garden Party for the Victoria and George Cross Association. Her Majesty is Patron of the association which represents all living holders of the Victoria Cross and George Cross – the UK’s highest decorations.
A visit to Fiji
The Queen receives a bouquet of flowers from Fijian Princess, Adi Kaunilotuma, during a visit to the country.
Commonwealth Heads of State
The Queen is joined by the Commonwealth Heads of State for a dinner party at Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty is Head of the Commonwealth, which has grown from 8 to 54 members in the last 70 years.
A Garden Party for the WI
Can you spot The Queen among the guests at a special Garden Party at Buckingham Palace for members of the Women’s Institute? Every year around 30,000 people are welcomed to Buckingham Palace for a Garden Party.
England win the World Cup
The Queen presents England Captain Bobby Moore with the World Cup after he led his team to a 4-2 victory against West Germany – which is still the most-watched television event in British history.
Awarding a Knighthood
The Queen confers a Knighthood on Sir Francis Chichester, who was the first person to single-handedly sail around the world. Her Majesty uses her father’s, King George VI’s, sword when awarding Knighthoods.
The Order of St Michael and St George
The Queen and The Duke Edinburgh leave St Paul’s Cathedral following a service to mark the 150th anniversary of the Order of St Michael and St George. Her Majesty is Sovereign of the Order, which was established in 1818 by the future George IV.
Going Underground
The Queen is pictured in the driver’s cab of an underground train as she opens a new section of the Victoria Line. In 2016 it was revealed that the new crossrail line would be named the Elizabeth line in honour of Her Majesty.
Visit to New Zealand
The Queen is joined by The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and The Princess Royal on the steps of the Parliament Building in Wellington, New Zealand following the State Opening of Parliament.
Maundy Money
The Queen presents the traditional Maundy money to elderly men and women in Tewkesbury Abbey. During the service, The Queen distributes gifts according to the number of years she has lived: so, in 1971 she presented 45 pence worth to 45 men and women.
The Lord of Mann
The Queen is pictured during a visit to the Isle of Man. Her Majesty is known as the ‘Lord of Mann’ on the Island.
The Queen's Birthday Parade
The Queen salutes Troops as they march towards Horse Guards Parade for Trooping the Colour. In this Platinum Jubilee year, a special Queen’s Birthday Parade will take place as part of the Celebration Weekend in June.
Remembrance Sunday
The Queen, and members of The Royal Family stand at the Cenotaph after laying wreaths on Remembrance Sunday. On the second Sunday of each November, Her Majesty leads the nation in remembering those who have died in world wars and other conflicts.
Silverwood Colliery
The Queen visits Silverwood Colliery near Rotherham.
Monument of National Solidarity
In Luxembourg, The Queen lights the perpetual flame at the Monument of National Solidarity, which commemorates all those who fought in the war.
Silver Jubilee
The Queen greets well-wishers during a walk-about in Edinburgh as part of her Silver Jubilee Celebrations. To mark the Silver Jubilee Her Majesty toured 36 counties in the United Kingdom over a period of three months.
A visit to the Channel Islands
The Queen is welcomed by school children at St Saviour, Jersey during a visit to the Channel Islands.
State Visit to Denmark
During a State Visit to Denmark, The Queen joins Queen Margrethe, The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Henrik on the balcony of the Amalienborg Palace in Copenhagen. 2022 is also a special year for Queen Margrethe, who is celebrating her Golden Jubilee.
HMS Invicible
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh drink toasts during the commissioning ceremony of HMS Invincible. As Sovereign, Her Majesty is Head of the Armed Forces.
In the North Sea
The Queen chats to workers during a visit to an oil terminal off the coast of Shetland.
Commonwealth Games
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh attend the Closing Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.
Honouring Mother Teresa
The Queen presents Mother Teresa with the Insignia of the Honorary Order of Merit during a visit to India.
Established in 1902 by Edward VII, admission to the Order is the personal gift of the Sovereign.
Commemorating D-Day
The Queen is joined by the Heads of the State of the Allied countries which took part in the D-Day landings as part of the 40th anniversary commemorations.
The Queen and her Prime Ministers
The Queen is pictured with the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and five former Prime Minister’s at a dinner at 10 Downing Street. As of 2022, there have been fourteen Prime Minister’s during The Queen’s reign.
First visit to China
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh join President Li Xiannian and his wife Jiamei in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Her Majesty was the first British Monarch to visit mainland China.
Scouts Parade
The Queen, in her role as the Patron of the Scout Association, meets some of the 1,000 Scouts who took part in the St George's Day parade at Windsor Castle. The Queen's Scout Award is the highest of the Association's training awards and was introduced by King Edward VII in 1909.
Port Sunlight's 100th Birthday
The Queen is welcomed by crowds at Port Sunlight in Merseyside during a visit to celebrate the village’s 100th birthday.
Welcoming Queen Beatrix
The Queen greets Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands at Buckingham Palace before investing her as an Extra Lady of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in the United Kingdom.
Commemorating the Battle of Britain
From the balcony at Buckingham Palace, The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh watch a flypast to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Unveiling The Queen Elizabeth Bridge
The Queen unveils the monument stone, naming the new road bridge over the River Thames at Dartford, Kent.The Queen Elizabeth Bridge was the first bridge to be built at an entirely new location along the Thames for more than 50 years.
German State Visit
The Queen meets German schoolchildren during a walkabout with President Dr Richard Von Weizsäcker in Berlin after passing through the Brandenburg Gate.
CHOGM
The Queen is pictured with the Heads of Government from Commonwealth countries in Cyprus. During her reign, Her Majesty has attended 22 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings.
100 years of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom
The Queen is shown a model of the Blackpool Tower Ballroom during a visit to the town to mark the centenary of the iconic building.
VE Day Celebrations
The Queen meets veterans attending a concert held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of VE Day at Buckingham Palace.
Welcoming Mandela
The Queens joins Nelson Mandela for a carriage ride down the Mall on the first day of the South African State Visit.
The Queen's Body Guard
The Queen inspects The Queens Body Guard of the Yeoman of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Dressed in their distinctive Tudor uniforms of red, white and yellow, The Queen's Body Guard of the Yeomen have a ceremonial role in many Royal events.
Walk about in Cheshire
The Queen greets well-wishers during a walk about in Runcorn, Cheshire.
Visiting South Korea
The Queen is welcomed to Hahoe Village in South Korea during a State Visit
A Millennium visit to Australia
The Queen receives flowers from members of the crowd in Bourke, New South Wales during a visit to Australia.
Opening The Queen Elizabeth Hospital
The Queen is greeted by crowds of well-wishers as she arrives in Woolwich, London, to officially open the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
A Canadian Corgi
The Queen admires a Corgi in Manitoba, during her two week Golden Jubilee tour of Canada. In her Golden Jubilee year, Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh travelled more than 40,000 miles to the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and across the UK.
A warm welcome in Wales
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh meet well-wishers during a visit to Wales to mark the opening of the second National Assembly for Wales.
Welcoming the world to Buckingham Palace
The Queen greets guests at the annual Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace.
Order of the Garter
The Queen is pictured on Garter Day – an annual procession of members of the Order of the Garter. Her Majesty is Sovereign of the Order which was founded in 1348 and is most senior Order of Chivalry.
80th Birthday Celebrations
The Queen meets Postman Pat during a special birthday party at Buckingham Palace in celebration of her 80th birthday. 2,000 children were invited to the special celebration which had the theme of British children’s literature.
State Visit to the USA
The Queen is pictured with President George Bush during a walkabout in Washington DC as part of a State Visit to the USA.
Maundy Thursday in Northern Ireland
The Queen is pictured with The Duke of Edinburgh following the annual Maundy Thursday Service, which was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh, Northern Ireland.
G20 at Buckingham Palace
In the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace, The Queen is photographed with the G20 leaders.
A Yorkshire welcome
School children welcome The Queen to Cloughton, North Yorkshire.
State Visit to Ireland
The Queen greets crowds outside Trinity College, Dublin during her historic State Visit to the Republic of Ireland.
Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
The Queen waves to crowds during the Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames. 670 boats took part in the parade on the Tideway of the River Thames, making it the largest ever parade of boats.
A BAFTA for The Queen
The Queen is presented with an honorary BAFTA in recognition of a lifetime’s support of British film and television.
A meeting with the Pope
The Queen is pictured with Pope Francis during a meeting at the Vatican.
The Queen returns to Malta
The Queen is welcomed to Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
Her Majesty's 90th Birthday
The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, waves to crowds during the Patron’s Lunch – which was part of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations.
A trip to the Zoo
The Queen, joined by The Duke of Edinburgh, feed an elephant during a visit to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
The Queen goes FROW at Fashion Week
The Queen sits front row at London Fashion week. The inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Award for Design was awarded to Richard Quinn following the show.
Chelsea Flower Show
The Queen is pictured at the annual Chelsea Flower Show in London.
Coronavirus Broadcast
An image of The Queen is pictured in Piccadilly Circus, following her broadcast to the UK and Commonwealth during the coronavirus pandemic.
HMS Queen Elizabeth
The Queen meets personnel who are serving on the Royal Navy Flagship, HMS Queen Elizabeth, ahead of its maiden deployment.
