Queen Elizabeth is one of the most famous people on earth, thanks to serving as the Queen of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms for 68 years. This has made her one of the most photographed women in the world. However, pictures of her younger years are not always readily available.
Therefore, the Palace has released pictures honoring the Queen, and we have gathered some more photographs that show her in her much younger years. It seems hard to believe that she was once part of the military! However, other things have not changed, such as her passion for animal care.
Love in the Garden
One of the things that have always fascinated the world was Queen Elizabeth’s relationship with Prince Philip. The Queen has always been open about her belief in the sanctity of marriage; therefore, it’s no surprise that they’re still together. However, Philip was allegedly involved in more than one affair during the beginning of their marriage.
Long before any of these rumors came to light, they were just a young couple, quickly falling in love. Here, they can be seen walking in the garden. They were destined to become the most famous royal couple in the world, with a large family that would go through many difficult moments.
Playing Pretend
Queen Elizabeth, like any other child, enjoyed playing around. Here, she can be seen playing dress-up with clothes that make her seem older than she was. Ironically, this look is very similar to many of the classic outfits the Queen has used in numerous public appearances. A moment of foreshadowing.
Queen Elizabeth is characterized by a modest style, always serious and conservative, much like her mandate has been. Many people, from relatives to subjects have commented on how Elizabeth was always a calm-mannered and serious girl, even before she knew she would become the Queen.
Just One More Soldier
A little-known fact is that Elizabeth wanted to be as involved as possible in the war effort. Therefore, she talked her father into allowing her to participate in different activities related to World War II. One of the first things she did was talking in a broadcasting show directed to children.
As the years went by and the war continued, Elizabeth chose a more active role. Therefore, she became part of the Grenadier Guards, and she was appointed Colonel. Elizabeth would ask people to treat her just like any of the other girls present there, as she was just interested in helping and not in recognition.
An Unexpected Queen
Elizabeth was supposed to be third in the line of succession, and she eventually would have been further degrees from the crown when her uncle, King Edward VIII, had children. However, life was going to take an unexpected turn. In one of the most scandalous events in recent times, King Edward decided to abdicate.
The reason was simple. He was in love with Wallis Simpson, a woman who had gone through a divorce before. This was unacceptable for the Church of England, and Edward decided to leave the throne to his brother, Elizabeth’s father. When this picture was taken, no one imagined they were seeing the future queen.
The Most Famous Wave
Queen Elizabeth is an expert at waving now. She has to do so during all of her public appearances. Here, we can see baby Elizabeth waving, practicing what would one day be the most famous wave in the world. Elizabeth looks quite adorable all bundled up in her sweater.
Nowadays, adorable is not the word used to describe the Queen. She’s already 93 years old, and her strength is admirable. She has faced the loss of both of her mom and dad, as well as her beloved sister, and she has led the Royal Family and endured scandals and threats against the monarchy.
Motherhood Suited Her
This is a rare picture of a very private moment for Queen Elizabeth. Almost a year after her marriage to Prince Philip, she became a mother. The heir was named Prince Charles, and he became the successor to the throne. Here, we can see Elizabeth as a young mom.
All of this took place before the weight of the crown was put on her head. Elizabeth wouldn’t become the Queen until four years later when her father passed away due to lung cancer. Charles would grow up to be a shy boy, more interested in art than in the military.
Living Her Childhood
Childhood is one of the most precious times for any person. Here, we can see Elizabeth doing a playful pose for the camera. It would be very disconcerting if she did something like that now! Despite being the most serious and well-behaved child, she was still just a kid.
These funny attitudes probably decreased drastically after her uncle’s abdication. Now, Elizabeth knew she would have to face immense responsibility one day. But this picture is a small reminder of more innocent times, in which the young Princess could enjoy goofing around just like any other kid.
Family First
One of the things that have always characterized Queen Elizabeth is her determination to keep her family close and protected. Here, we can see her as a young girl, with her sister and her parents in a lovely portrait. It must have been difficult to stay still for the picture, especially for Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret.
The temperament of the two sisters couldn’t have been more different. Where Elizabeth was calm, collected, and obedient, Margaret always had a rebellious strike that would lead her to become a party girl. Even in this picture, their poses and smiles are quite different from each other.
Cherished by the Queen Mother
Elizabeth had a very close relationship with her grandmother, Queen Mary, who was the Queen Mother during her father’s reign. Here, they can be seen together when Elizabeth was only months old. Her hair looks adorable, very different from the classic styles she wears nowadays.
Queen Mary would become a close advisor and confidant when Elizabeth became older and after she got married when she was 21. She would need all the help she could get, as many people saw her as a young girl instead of a grown woman, ready to take the reins of the crown soon.
Her Loyal Companions
This picture is one among many that show The Queen's love for dogs comes from a very early age. Elizabeth has a well-known love for corgis, and she has had several at any given time. She even adopted one of them after its owner passed away. The bills for dog food at the castle must be significant.
Dogs have become almost part of the Queen’s legacy. Everyone knows she is a huge lover of animals, with one other species receiving her attention as well, horses. As it can be seen here, Elizabeth always had this tendency and inclination, and as a Queen, she could have as many dogs as she wanted.
Announcing Her Love
It must have been a very happy day when Elizabeth was able to announce her engagement to Philip. They had been writing to each other since she was only 13 years old. At 21, the news of their upcoming marriage became official on July 9, 1947.
The news was not well-received by everyone. The British press is well-known for being quite critical, and the fact that Philip had no kingdom or wealth was often commented. Furthermore, he had to renounce his religion and convert to the Anglican Church, as well as give up his foreign royal titles.
Love for Country and Cars
Elizabeth became an honorary member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II. Furthermore, she went into training, and she learned everything she needed to know about a car during this time. Also, she trained as a driver. This is probably the origin of Queen Elizabeth’s appreciation for motor vehicles.
The Queen has been photographed driving around even now that she’s in her early 90s! Seeing into her past allows us to understand Queen Elizabeth so much better. Here, her love for her country allowed her to develop a new interest. This willingness to serve earned her the love of her citizens.
Playing It Safe
Once again, the contrast between Queen Elizabeth and her sister, Princess Margaret is evident. While Elizabeth chooses to rest against the rock they’re standing on and plays it safe, Margaret is a lot more daring. These differences were only accentuated as the two grew older, with Margaret partying and becoming the source of scandal numerous times.
In the meantime, Elizabeth had to be the voice of reason, and its image as well. Margaret could make it on all of the celebrity news’ covers, but this would be disastrous if it was the Queen instead. Slightly reminiscent of Elizabeth’s grandsons, Prince William and Prince Harry.
Blissful Family Time
Two years after giving birth to Prince Charles, Elizabeth welcomed her second child into the world, Princess Anne. Here, the family can be seen enjoying some leisure time together, something that wasn’t that common years later. This picture was taken before the start of Elizabeth’s reign.
One of the downsides of being the Royal Family is that family time rarely is had without protocol and formalities. But this candid photo here shows a loving family, formed by a young couple enjoying a sunny afternoon with their children. This was far from the routine for Philip and Elizabeth.
Summer Time-Off
There are many downsides to being part of the Royal Family, but there are numerous upsides too. With multiple castles and residences, vacations are easier to take than for most people. Here, Elizabeth is enjoying a summer vacation with one of her loyal friends. It’s impressive how young she looks in this picture.
The summer is a time in which the Royal Family comes together. While their many occupations often keep them busy, this is a perfect time to gather and enjoy some family time. Nowadays, Queen Elizabeth’s summer vacations seem to be even more important to her.
Deeply In Love
Elizabeth’s smile here is something that we’re happy was recorded for posterity. As she has aged, her smiles have become rarer. However, here she’s seen looking adoringly at her new husband, the one she had loved for many years before finally being able to be together.
Elizabeth looks great in her wedding dress and even Philip, who is not known for his expressiveness, looks very much in love. This was a beautiful moment for the couple, one that they probably cherish to this day. In 2020, they will be celebrating the 73rd anniversary of their marriage.
Just a Baby
In a 93-year-old throwback, we can see Elizabeth when she was just months old being carried by her mom and dad. She was their eldest child, and they didn’t anticipate she would have as many responsibilities as she eventually had to assume. Therefore, some things were lacking in her education.
It has been reported that Princess Elizabeth was not adequately prepared by her tutors on geopolitics and other matters that would have helped her during her reign. Instead, she had to educate herself on numerous subjects to have a better understanding of the country’s position in the world.
A Well-Known Passion
As we’ve mentioned before, Queen Elizabeth is a lover of animals. Aside from her deep affection for corgis, she’s passionate about horses and horse breeding. Maybe she would’ve been a veterinarian if she hadn’t been born to be Queen. Taking care of her horses continues to be important for her to this day.
Here, we can see her doing exactly that. She’s accompanied by Prince Philip, and they get to see some of the horses that live in the Palace. The Queen is even dressed in lighter colors than usual, which she often does when she’s visiting her beloved animals.
Her Favorite Castle
In this picture, a young Elizabeth is heading to Balmoral Castle. Many believe this is her favorite castle of them all. For starters, it’s not owned by the crown, and instead, it’s her private property. Located in Scotland, the Queen heads there every summer, and her family visits her there.
Even her granddaughter, Beatrice, has stated that she believes this is where Queen Elizabeth is the happiest. It might be how quiet it is here, very different from the busy London streets. It’s a castle that seems to go very well with Elizabeth’s calm temperament.
Raising Two Different Children
Like in any other family, the children of Queen Elizabeth had very different personalities. While Charles was shier, more insecure, and hesitant, Princess Anne was quite energetic and determined. Perhaps it was knowing that he would one day be King what led Charles to be this way.
Even now that they’re both much older, Princess Anne continues to be much more impetuous than her brother. It is reminiscent of Queen Elizabeth’s relationship with her sister, Princess Margaret. However, while Prince Charles seemed ruled by anxiety at times, the Queen always had a semblance of determination.
Enjoying a Road Trip
Here, we can see Queen Elizabeth on what could be a road trip with her parents. The tradition of vacationing in one of their castles outside of London started well before Queen Elizabeth’s mandate. Here, they are the picture of a happy family, headed for their vacation together.
Once again, we can see Elizabeth’s early love for pets in this picture. Of course, she wouldn’t leave her dog behind! The evidence seems to show that Elizabeth had a happy childhood if truncated early by the responsibility of becoming heiress to the throne.
The Fashions of the Era
One of the funniest parts of looking through old photos is realizing how different the styles were. A very young Queen Elizabeth can be seen here, wearing a dress that looks very outdated now. It almost looks like a costume! However, these dresses were typical during Elizabeth’s childhood.
Also, she looks quite adorable! Almost like a butterfly waiting to expand her wings, which is exactly what she was at that exact moment. Back then, Elizabeth would’ve had to stay very still to get her photo taken, unlike what can be achieved by modern devices.
Being Just A Child
Elizabeth looks like a cherubic toddler in this picture. The photographer had her using props, probably to generate some movement and a more interesting photo. She seems to be curling her hair, which would one day become her preferred style for most of her life.
Having to pose for these pictures must not have been fun. However, Elizabeth seems to be enjoying it. Being just a child, she was probably unaware of how important her family was to the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and the world. This is a time before Elizabeth knew her place as a royal.
A Young Mom
Elizabeth was a young mom by today’s standards as she welcomed Prince Charles into the world when she was 22 years old. Securing an heir must have been very important for the Royal Family. However, this picture shows more than joy at having an heir, she looks radiant as a new mom.
Prince Phillip looks extremely proud as well. His posture shows his delight at the birth of baby Charles, who would one day become Prince of Wales. While many couples prefer to enjoy their time as newlyweds alone, Phillip and Elizabeth decided to start growing their family early.
A Second Honeymoon
Elizabeth and Phillip had enjoyed their honeymoon in New Hampshire. However, they soon found themselves traveling again. Phillip was positioned in Malta, and they lived there in much more humble conditions than they would in the future, when Elizabeth became Queen. It was almost like a second honeymoon.
This was probably good for the couple, as they had some time to enjoy their lives together without the constant harassment of the media looking for celebrity news. However, things became more difficult after they started to have children because they wanted to raise them in England.
Looking the Royal Part
A wedding is always a big thing in any family. One of the loveliest parts of it is having the children of the family participate in the ceremony. The Royal Family was no exception. Here, Elizabeth is looking beautiful at the marriage ceremony between Lady May Cambridge and Captain Henry Abel Smith.
Elizabeth looks regal despite only being a child and third in the line to the throne at the time. Her demeanor and seriousness can also be observed in this picture. Interestingly, the marrying couple was her cousins through her grandmother’s brother, the Earl of Athlone.
A Dutiful Child
In another portrait of Queen Elizabeth as a child, she looks older and more serious than in the one she’s curling her locks. By now, she probably is aware of her legacy, and the responsibilities that come with being a member of the House of Windsor.
Elizabeth was probably bored during this picture, but we’re sure she was very dutiful during the process, just like she always was. It’s a good thing taking pictures was very popular during this era as it allows us to see how Elizabeth grew every year.
Private Letters
Elizabeth developed a costume that she has maintained throughout her life. She started writing letters to help her organize her thoughts and have a clear understanding of the events of the day. More often than not, these letters were only for herself, and no one got to see them.
This practice probably helped her during her courtship with Prince Phillip, as they were apart for long periods during this time. We’re certain that even though most people write everything on a computer now, the Queen has probably forgone this new technology in favor of handwriting.
Victorious England
When news came out that the Nazis had been defeated, all of England celebrated. Elizabeth’s efforts during the war were recognized by both the government and the citizens. Allegedly, she and Princess Margaret went to the streets to celebrate with the rest of the happy people that had flooded the city.
The Princesses went out there anonymously, encouraged by the pure joy of their people, which was almost palpable. These years had been very rough for the country, and now everyone had great reasons to celebrate. Fortunately, no wars have taken place inside England ever since.
Precious Moments
This candid shot shows Queen Elizabeth with her two eldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne. This was probably taken just before Elizabeth ascended to the throne, or shortly after she had done so. One of the changes they had to go through was moving to Buckingham’s palace.
This is a precious moment in which they got to spend some time together. Elizabeth was often in Malta with Phillip since he had been deployed there. Back then, using a private jet was not as popular as it is now. Meanwhile, the kids stay at home, being taken care of by their nannies.
A Young Queen
Elizabeth learned she had become the Queen while she was far away from London, in Kenya. She was doing a tour of Commonwealth territories with Prince Phillip when they were notified. Elizabeth immediately became Queen Elizabeth II, and they quickly packed everything to go back to the United Kingdom.
This picture was taken during her coronation ceremony, which took place on June 2, 1953. Elizabeth had recently lost her grandmother, Queen Mary on March 24 of the same year. However, it had been the former Queen Mother’s wish that the coronation took place. She understood that her health would force her to miss it.
Some Things Never Change
Here, Elizabeth is showing the strength of her strides, and her determination to be a good royal. She already has her regal walking style, and her determined steps are part of what has always characterized her. While some call Queen Elizabeth boring, she has always been a solid presence that inspires many of her citizens.
Here, Elizabeth seems to be making an effort to walk as she was probably taught by her mother or her instructors. She’s wearing a version of her characteristic hairstyle, always with short locks and curls. Elizabeth’s personality developed very early, as we can see here.
Deep Love For Her Mom
This picture shows a lovely image of Queen Elizabeth with her mom. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, as she became known after Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, was beloved by the citizens. She was known for her strength and support of her late husband, King George VI.
Furthermore, she became the family’s matriarch, and she and Queen Elizabeth seemed to always be very close. She died in 2002, at the age of 101. Her death might have been precipitated by news of Princess Margaret’s death, which took place only seven weeks before. This must have been a devastating moment for Queen Elizabeth.
The Perks of Nobility
Being a Royal meant that Elizabeth had access to some of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry in the world. From expensive necklaces to dazzling tiaras, she never lacked fancy accessories to wear to formal gatherings. The same was true for Princess Margaret, who also loved to be fashionable.
Here, the two sisters can be seen at what was most likely a party, looking great with their royal tiaras. The tiaras are often loaned to members in the family for special occasions. This includes marriages and other important events in which the Royals need to look their best.
Her Beloved Sister
Here, we can see Elizabeth spending time with Margaret, her beloved sister. While they had very different personalities and even confrontations, the love they had for each other was never in doubt. Queen Elizabeth had to make difficult decisions about Princess Margaret’s life more than once.
While this might have caused problems between them at the time, they always came back to each other. Princess Margaret passed away on February 9, 2002, when she was 71. She suffered from cardiovascular disease, and a series of strokes ended her life. In this picture, memories of healthier and simpler days are shown.