The eyes of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor were bent down as she sat on the throne of an old castle. The woman, 27 years old at the time, had been dressed in white just a few moments earlier. Now she was Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and the territories that make up the Commonwealth. Her shoulders were covered in golden fabric, her hands were clasping precious scepters and a crown weighed down her head. Shouts of “God save the Queen!” were heard. Westminster Abbey reverberated with the phrase as silver trumpets blared across the building.
In 1970, Queen Elizabeth II traveled to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to participate in a celebration hosted by the local government. The year 1982 marks the year that Canada officially became independent from Britain. At the height of the British Empire, it was thought that one out of every four people lived in a country that was part of the British Commonwealth. During her reign, the number of countries that were part of the British Empire decreased from 70 to 16.
During the National Maritime Museum opening in Greenwich, London, England, in 1937, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth (the queen consort), Queen Mary (the queen mother), and Princess Elizabeth pose in front of a model of The Sovereign of the Seas.
At the time of her coronation in June 1953, nobody could have predicted that Queen Elizabeth’s reign would go on for an unprecedented seven decades. But the significance of the elaborate ceremony was not lost on experienced photojournalist James Jarché. He captured every moment of the age-old rite using a Leica camera loaded with Kodachrome film. He then transported the undeveloped photographs to the headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C., through a special air courier.
On June 2, 1953, at the age of 25, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned Queen in Westminster Abbey in London by the archbishop. This event took place on June 2.
The findings inspired the editors of National Geographic, who scrapped other coverage for their September 1953 issue to make room for the breathtaking color photographs, along with classic Nat Geo takes on topics ranging from the bunting that filled a London that was still recovering from the war to the British-bred silkworms that were responsible for the Queen’s sumptuous regalia.
On July 9, 1965, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, were traveling in a car together on their way to pay a visit to Higham Ferrers, a tiny town outside Northampton in England.
Letters flooded in worldwide, requesting extra copies as keepsakes and gifts. The picture editor Ross said it was “the best color narrative of a lifetime.” Jarché agreed with him.
During the opening of Parliament in 1960, Queen Elizabeth II gave a speech to the members of the House of Lords who were wearing wigs. During her reign, Queen Elizabeth presided at the opening of Parliament each year, except for 1959 and 1963, when she was pregnant and in 2022 when she struggled with mobility issues.
National Geographic Image Collection Photograph Taken by Robert Goodman
And National Geographic was there to document every stage of her journey throughout her life. Photographers of this caliber captured the reserved new Queen, chronicled the official appearances of the self-assured public image, and allowed rare glances into Elizabeth’s private life so carefully guarded.
Suva, the capital city of Fiji, is where Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip Mountbatten, disembark off a wooden yacht. On December 17, 1953, not long after she was crowned Queen, they traveled to Fiji, which was still a colony of England at the time.
National Geographic Image Collection Photograph Taken by Howell Walker
During Elizabeth’s reign, seismic transformations occurred in various realms, including fashion, borders, communication and public mores. National Geographic described Queen Elizabeth II as courteous, determined, interested, self-assured, and long-lived. Here she is in that guise.
The new Knights of the Order are installed during the Garter Ceremony held at Windsor Palace, which takes place in St. George’s Chapel. Services were once owned by order of the Garter at St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, but during the 18th century, they became increasingly infrequent. After having been done away with in 1805, the Garter services were reinstituted by King George VI in 1948 and have since become an annual tradition.
Content Obtained From National Geographic
At the end of the Trooping the Colour procession, which was held in honor of the Queen’s actual birthday, members of the Royal Family are seen standing on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, is seen here beside her son, Prince Charles and her husband, Prince Philip. They are adorned with royal medals in addition to the Welsh Guard’s traditional garb, consisting of red coats with blue sashes. Other members of the Royal Family are seen here, including the Queen Mother; Prince William of Wales, who is being held by his father, Prince Charles. Princess Margaret, the Queen’s sister; Prince Andrew, standing in the doorway wearing a dark suit; Michael, Duchess of Kent, standing next to Princess Diana and three children whose identities have not been revealed.
Photograph taken by Jodi Cobb and published in the National Geographic Image Collection
In College Park, Maryland, on October 19, 1957, Queen Elizabeth II attended a football game between Maryland and North Carolina at Byrd Stadium. While there, she was presented with keepsakes from various notable people. During her trip to the United States, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made a special request to attend an American football game.
Photograph taken by William W. Campbell III and published in the National Geographic Image Collection
Around this time (1963), Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip departed Caernarvon Castle, located in Gwynedd, Wales.
National Geographic Image Collection Photograph Taken by Dean Conger
Around 1951, then-Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Philip, visited Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. After that, in 1957, she embarked on another excursion while serving as Queen.
© Photograph by Willard Culver, Nat Geo Image Collection
Following the investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales in 1969, Elizabeth II and Prince Charles are seen waving to the crowd. Even though Charles was formally installed during the event, it took place against a growing nationalist sentiment in Wales.
Brian Shuel took a National Geographic Image Collection photograph.
During the investiture ceremony for Prince Charles, which took place on July 1, 1969, in Gwynedd, Wales, Queen Elizabeth II looked at Charles, the Prince of Wales.
James L. Stanfield took a National Geographic Image Collection photograph.
In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II drove herself to a Sunday church service. Even though she does not possess a valid driver’s license, the Queen has always taken pleasure in driving herself and has continued to do so despite being scared of her health in November of 2021. In 1945, she joined the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, where she trained as a mechanic and learned how to drive. World War II was in full swing at the time. She was the first woman of the British royal family to ever serve in the armed forces as a military member.
James L. Stanfield took a National Geographic Image Collection photograph.
During the funeral for former Prime Minister Winston Churchill, which took place in 1965, Queen Elizabeth II stood on the church’s steps as the casket was carried out.
National Geographic Image Collection Photograph Taken by Joe Scherschel
During the Trooping the Colour procession in 1984, Queen Elizabeth II rode a horse while being accompanied by her son, Prince Charles, on her right. She was followed by her husband and other royal family members. Every one of them is adorned with royal medals and wears the uniforms of the Welsh Guards. The men are seen wearing busbies made of bearskin.
Photograph taken by Jodi Cobb and published in the National Geographic Image Collection
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