Queen Elizabeth II

 Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving British monarch in history. Her devotion to the duty and public service was renowned and she ruled through a period of enormous social change and technological transformation. Her coronation in 1953 was the first to be televised and was broadcast internationally and she is the most portrayed person in the world.

Born in London, Princess Elizabeth became heir to the throne in 1936 on the accession of her father George VI. She married Philip Mountbatten in 1947 and their first children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, were born in 1948 and 1950. She became Queen in 1952, whilst on an official trip to Kenya, after the death of her father. Her sons, Princes Andrew and Edward, were born in 1960 and 1964. As Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth, her Silver, Golden, Diamond and Platinum Jubilees were celebrated in 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022.

A figurehead of stability, hope and kindness, she carried out royal engagements – including the opening of the National Portrait Gallery’s Ondaatje Wing on 4 May 2000 – until the end of her reign, and was royal patron or president of over 600 charities, military bodies and public service organisations.

Here, we share images of Her Majesty The Queen from the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection.