Fascinating photos of a young Queen Elizabeth II, 1930s-1950s

Elizabeth II was Queen of the United Kingdom and of 14 other sovereign countries from 6 February 1952 until her death. Her reign of 70 years and seven months was the longest of any British monarch.

Elizabeth was born in Mayfair, London, as the first child of the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth).

Her father acceded to the throne in 1936 upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII, making Elizabeth the heir presumptive. She was educated privately at home and began to undertake public duties during the Second World War, serving in the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

In November 1947, she married Philip Mountbatten, a former prince of Greece and Denmark, and their marriage lasted 73 years until his death in April 2021.

They had four children together: Charles, King of the United Kingdom; Anne, Princess Royal; Prince Andrew, Duke of York; and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex.

Queen Elizabeth as a baby.

When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth—then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth.

Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonization of Africa, and the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union.

The number of her realms varied over time as territories have gained independence and some realms have become republics. Her many historic visits and meetings include state visits to China in 1986, Russia in 1994, the Republic of Ireland in 2011, and visits to or from five popes.

Significant events include Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively.

Elizabeth was the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, the oldest and longest-serving incumbent head of state, and the second-longest verifiable reigning sovereign monarch in world history.

On 8 September 2022, Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen was under medical supervision at Balmoral after doctors expressed concern.

The statement read, “Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen’s doctors are concerned for Her Majesty’s health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision. The Queen remains comfortable and at Balmoral.”

The Queen’s four children along with her daughters-in-law, and Prince William and Prince Harry, traveled to be with her. Her death was subsequently confirmed that evening.

Queen Elizabeth in 1927.

Queen Elizabeth in 1930.

Queen Elizabeth in 1933.

Queen Elizabeth in 1934.

Queen Elizabeth in 1935.

Queen Elizabeth in 1939.

Queen Elizabeth in 1936.

Queen Elizabeth in 1935.

Queen Elizabeth in 1943.

She received an honorary Bachelor’s degree in music from London University in 1946.

Queen Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten in 1947.

Britain’s Princess Elizabeth and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh are seen leaving Westminster Abbey, London, on Nov. 20, 1947, following their wedding service.

The royal newly-weds, Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, acknowledge the cheers of the crowd as they drove from Buckingham Palace to Waterloo Station in London on Nov. 20, 1947. Later they left by special Royal Train from platform 11 bound for Winchester. Their honeymoon is being spent at Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, at Earl Mountbatten’s home.

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, then Princess Elizabeth, and her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace, London, in this Nov. 20, 1947 photo, after their wedding. From left to right, King George VI, Princess Margaret, Lady Mary Cambridge, the bride and bridegroom, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary.

H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth and H.R.H. The Duke of Edinburgh pose with Royal guests at Buckingham Palace in London, England, after their wedding on Nov. 20, 1947.

Britain’s Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey, London, on Nov. 20, 1947, after their wedding service. They are followed by Prince Michael of Kent and Prince William of Gloucester holding the bridal train, the eight bridesmaids and then the bestman the Marquess of Milford Haven.

This is the first image of the royal newly-weds H.RH. British Princess Elizabeth – Duchess of Edinburgh, and H.RH. Prince Philip – Duke of Edinburgh, in the grounds of Broadlands (the home of Earl Mountbatten, governer-general of India), at Ramsey, Hampshire, where they are spending their honeymoon, November 23, 1947. The royal couple are looking at photographs of their wedding which was held at Westminster Abbey, November 20, 1947.

Princess Margaret (left), the future Queen Elizabeth II (third from left) and the Queen Mother (third from right) with the Grenadier guards on the occasion of Princess Elizabeth’s birthday, 1942.

Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with a well-wisher while standing next to the General and Governor of Bermuda, Sir Alexander Hood, 1961.

Queen Elizabeth II prepares to speak at University of the West Indies, Jamaica, 1953.

Queen Elizabeth II watches a University of Maryland vs. University of North Carolina football game at Maryland’s Byrd Stadium during her 1957 official visit to the United States.

Queen Elizabeth with Prince Charles and Elizabeth II at Princess Margaret’s wedding, 1960.

(Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons / AP / Flicker / Pinterest / Britannica / Life Magazine)