Her Majesty, The Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96. As the nation enters a period of mourning, we take a look back at her best moments to celebrate her life and reign.
These moments have been chosen to highlight the Queen’s most valued qualities – of which there are so many: her inclusivity, her sense of humour, her kindness towards others and her stoicism in the face of adversity.
The Queen’s coronation, June 1953
Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953, the year after her father, George VI's death, was the first-ever royal coronation to be broadcast live on television; it was also the first of many examples of the Queen making history. While the young Queen was initially reluctant to allow this to happen (as were her advisors and then-Prime Minister Winston Churchill), she was convinced by her coronation commission – a committee chaired by her husband Prince Philip. The agreement was made on the condition that there would be no close ups of the Her Majesty’s face. The move was a huge success, with 27 million members of the public tuning in – and set the precedent for the royals appearing on television in the years that followed.
Addressing the nation amidst Covid, April 2022
Weeks into the first UK Covid lockdown in April 2020, the Queen raised the spirits of the nation with a rare address, where she quoted Vera Lynn’s wartime song, ‘We’ll meet again’.
Addressing the nation after Diana's death, September 1997
In the wake of Princess Diana’s death, the Queen was at first criticised for not returning instantly to Buckingham from Balmoral – where she was staying at the time of the tragic car crash with Princes William and Harry. But public opinion soon turned around when the Queen addressed the nation in a broadcast live from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where she delivered a heartfelt speech. It began with a notably personal touch: “"First, I want to pay tribute to Diana myself. She was an exceptional and gifted human being. In good times and bad, she never lost her capacity to smile and laugh, nor to inspire others with her warmth and kindness.” In one of her many lines capturing the national mood of the time, she added: “No-one who knew Diana will ever forget her. Millions of others who never met her, but felt they knew her, will remember her.”
James Bond moment during the 2012 Olympic Ceremony
The Queen was known for her sense of humour, and the world saw this brought to light when she agreed to take part in a James Bond sketch ahead of the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. OK, she didn’t really parachute into the ceremony (a stunt double did that job for her) – but she sure played along with the scene, walking alongside Daniel Craig a.k.a 007 through the corridors of Buckingham Palace.
Marriage to Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, November 1947
The Queen’s wedding to Prince Philip took place in 1947 at Westminster Abbey – two years after World War II had ended, and it was a true post-wartime celebration, with the royal buying her dress with ration coupons.
Reciprocating Michelle Obama's ‘hug’, April 2009
While not the most obvious choice, one moment that resonates when thinking about the late Queen is her kindness when then-US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama visited Buckingham Palace in 2009. The First Lady put her arm around the Queen, a move that – technically speaking – broke protocol, but then the Queen honoured kindness above all and put her arm around Michelle in return, cue a very sweet photo moment.
Golden Jubilee, June 2002
Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee Address in 2002, to mark the 50th anniversary of her coronation, was memorable as yet another example of the monarch’s strength in the face of adversity. It was the same year she lost both her mother, the Queen Mother, and her sister Princess Margaret, in the successive months of February and March. Yet when she addressed the nation in June 2002 to mark her anniversary, it was with a spirit of gratitude and celebration of her time on the throne despite her own personal tragedies.
Diamond Jubilee duties with the Duchess of Cambridge, June 2012
A stylish and sweet memory, this picture was taken during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee duties in June 2012, when Kate accompanied her to Vernon Park in Nottingham. They're a dynamic duo if ever we saw one – the Queen's relationship with Kate has always seemed a close one.
Recently, royal biographer Andrew Morton revealed an intimate reason why the Queen always had a soft spot for Kate: “The thing about Kate is the Queen was impressed she adored and loved William for himself, not for his title,” he said.
Sharing a laugh with the Duchess of Sussex, June 2018
As part of their first royal engagement together back in 2018 – weeks after Meghan married Harry – the Queen and the now Duchess of Sussex opened a road bridge in Widnes, Cheshire together, as well as visiting The Storyhouse and Town Hall in nearby Chester.
Hosting JFK and Jackie Kennedy at Buckingham Palace in 1961
Talk about a prime example of icons meeting icons. Back in 1961, the Queen hosted John F Kennedy and his iconic wife Jackie at Buckingham Palace. Channelling Cinderella vibes, she looks glamorous and demure whole entertaining the late President and his First Lady.
This visit was recreated on Netflix's hit TV show The Crown, where Jackie confides in Elizabeth about how tiring it was to be on display as a public figure. The Queen's onscreen response is as follows: “One gets crafty after a while and learns how to save oneself".
Platinum Jubilee, June 2022
Earlier this year, we dedicated a four-day bank holiday weekend to celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign. Along with Trooping The Colour, celebrations included a special event thrown in the grounds of Windsor Castle, the lighting of beacons (yep, does what it says on the tin, lighting beacons on fire to celebrate!) and a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral. And, of course the Party at the Palace, where she delighted crowds - and the world - with a heartwarming appearance at a tea party with the one and only Paddington Bear - tapping the intro to Queen's We Will Rock You
Happier times with Prince Charles and Diana, Buckingham Palace 1981
While Princess Diana and Prince Charles' marriage may not have ended well, the Queen knew Princess Diana for all of her life, and was godmother to Diana's younger brother Charles. Here they pose together at Buckingham Palace, just months before Charles and Diana's wedding in July 1981.
Riding at Windsor, May 2020
Queen Elizabeth spent a lot of time in Windsor during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Here, we see her riding a 14-year-old Fell Pony, whose name is Balmoral Fern, in Windsor Home Park back in May 2020.
Windsor was a special place for her, seeing as it was where she spent the lockdown periods with Prince Philip. After spending her birthday earlier this year at her estate in Norfolk, she travelled back to Windsor, a special base for her with lots of happy memories.
Family portrait at Buckingham Palace, 1972
A very glamorous family portrait, if ever we saw one. The Queen’s immediate family may have been based all over the country over the years, but we’re a fan of this rather iconic moment captured at Buckingham Palace. Princess Margaret is looking like a 1970s Hollywood star, Prince Philip is looking on in fatherly pride and our Queen Elizabeth is looking striking. Also pictured: Prince Charles, Prince Edward and Prince Andrew.
Queen Elizabeth's 39th birthday, 1965
Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 39th birthday with her nearest and dearest at her Windsor estate, with a very young Prince Andrew pushing Prince Edward in his pram, as Princess Anne, Prince Philip and the Queen look on. A picture of familial bliss on a beautiful day.
Picnicking in Balmoral, 1953
Who doesn’t love picnicking after all? Well, Queen Elizabeth was definitely a fan back in the day, particularly at her beloved Balmoral, where she spent the last moments of her life. Here we see a picture of a happy family as she relaxes with Prince Philip, Prince Charles and a very young Princess Anne.
Playful times with the family, 1951
While a lot of her duties involved taking care of an entire nation, the Queen also enjoyed her role as a mother and wife. Here, we see her and Prince Philip enjoying what has since been described as ‘playful’ moment with Prince Charles and Princess Anne.
