Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, at the age of 96. Let’s look back at her reign, from her childhood to her time as the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and the world.

Elizabeth was born on April 21, 1926 in London. She was the first child of Albert, Duke of York (second son of King George V) and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. Photo: Getty
Princess Elizabeth photographed at her home in London in 1928. Photo: Getty
From left: Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939. Photo: AP
Elizabeth rode a horse in Windsor, England, in 1940. She was a horse lover. Photo: Getty
Elizabeth (right), 14 years old, sits next to her sister during a radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. During the broadcast, for the first time, Elizabeth said that the children of England were cheerful and brave. Photo: AP
Princess Elizabeth sits in South Africa’s Natal National Park on April 21, 1947 on her 21st birthday. Photo: AP
On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth married Prince Philip, a lieutenant in the British Navy, who was born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. Photo: Getty
Princess Elizabeth arrives at a state banquet in London in March 1950. Photo: AP
Elizabeth ascended the throne in February 1952, when her father died of lung cancer at the age of 56. Pictured is the coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II, June 2, 1953. Photo: AFP
The Queen holds her son Prince Andrew at Scotland’s Balmoral Castle in September 1960. The Queen has four children. Photo: AP
Queen Elizabeth II at the opening ceremony of Parliament in April 1966. Photo: AP
Queen Elizabeth II with her eldest son, Prince Charles, in 1969. Prince Charles became King Charles III upon the Queen’s death. Photo: Getty
The Queen and Prince Philip before the flight from Tokyo, Japan, May 1975. Photo: AP
The Queen attended the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana, on July 29, 1981. Photo: Getty
The Queen and Prince Philip pay tribute to Princess Diana after her tragic death in 1997. Photo: AP
The Queen attended the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in April 2005. Photo: AP
The Queen arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral for a Thanksgiving service on her 80th birthday in 2006. Photo: Getty
The Queen greeted crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in April 2011. Her grandson Prince William married Catherine Middleton. Photo: Getty
The Queen poses for a photo with her five great-grandchildren and two youngest grandchildren, April 2016. Photo: Zuma Press
The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests in London attending her 90th birthday celebrations in 2016. Photo: Getty
The Queen and US President Donald Trump inspect the guard of honor during Mr. Trump’s visit to Windsor Castle in July 2018. Photo: Getty
The Queen welcomed her new great-grandchild, Archie, in May 2019. Archie is the first child of Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex. Photo: Getty
The Queen sat alone at Prince Philip’s funeral in April 2021. The ceremony was limited to 30 people, following Britain’s COVID-19 restrictions. Photo: Getty
The Queen receives US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden at Windsor Castle in June 2021. Photo: Getty
The Queen during her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022 celebrated her 70th year on the throne. Photo: AP
The Queen welcomes new British Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, September 6, 2022. Photo: AP