65 years today: Elizabeth II was proclaimed Queen: Look back at best pictures

The very best pictures of Queen Elizabeth II
Wed, February 8, 2017

Celebrating the very best photographs of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

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Queen Elizabeth II during a State Visit to Bahrain, 1979.

The new Queen rushed home to London after learning about the death of her father George VI on February 6 1952 while abroad in Kenya.

The Queen and Prince Philip immediately cut short their tour of the Commonwealth and embarked on the journey back to London.

Once back in the British capital, Elizabeth II formally proclaimed herself as Queen, Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith on February 8.

The 25-year-old monarch told the nation: “By the sudden death of my dear father I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty.

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The Queen celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee and poses for a photograph in January 1952

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Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh on a bridge in Sagana Lodge, Kenya, on February 5 1952

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The Queen and Prince Philip arrive at London Airport after a flight from Nairobi on February 7 1952

"My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples, spread as they are all the world over."

Representatives from the Commonwealth, officials from the City of London and other dignitaries watched her accession during a ceremony at St James’ Palace.

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Crowds in Trafalgar Square watch a procession of royal carriages en route to the formal proclamation

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Soldiers, Lords and officials cheer as the proclamation is read outside the Royal Exchange

After the accession declaration, Elizabeth II held her first Privy Council meeting and her proclamation was signed by the Lord Chancellor, the Prime Minister and privy counsellors.

The Queen also took an oath to assure the security of the Church of Scotland and approved several other Orders in Council.

Elizabeth II’s Sapphire Jubilee fell on Monday – the 65th anniversary of the day that she became Queen on February 6 1952.

Her coronation was held more than a year later in June 1953 after the country observed a period of mourning for her father George VI.

To mark the start of Elizabeth II's reign, here is a look through the photographs of her coronation and key moments from her reign below.

Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in pictures
Tue, January 31, 2017

Photographs from the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II which took place on June 2 1953.

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Queen Elizabeth II poses with the royal sceptre 02 June 1953 after being crowned

Monumental moments of Queen Elizabeth's reign
Fri, June 10, 2016

Britain's longest-reigning monarch is celebrating her 90th birthday after more than six decades on the throne. Here is a look back at the monumental moments that defined her reign.

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Monumental moments of Queen Elizabeth's reign

The Queen: Every year of her reign in pictures
Thu, June 2, 2016

On the 8th February 1952, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II formally proclaimed herself Queen and Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith

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Queen Elizabeth II on her Coronation Day on 2nd June 1953

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