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Sapphire Jubilee: A look back at the Queen's 65-year-long reign in pictures
Elizabeth II became Britain’s Queen at the age of just 25 after the death of her beloved father George VI on February 6 1952.
Over the past 65 years, the Queen has remain a constant presence as social change and leaps forward in technology transformed the world.
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How times have changed: 65 years of Queen Elizabeth
During the Queen’s long reign, there have been 13 different British prime ministers, seven Archbishops of Canterbury and seven Popes.
As the Queen marks her Sapphire Jubilee on Monday, here is a look back at key moments of her 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
1952: Elizabeth II ascends the throne
After her father’s death, Elizabeth II formally proclaimed herself Queen, Head of the Commonwealth and Defender of the Faith.
She declared: "By the sudden death of my dear father I am called to assume the duties and responsibilities of sovereignty.
"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."
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
1953: Coronation of Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II took a solemn oath to serve Britain during a grand coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in June 1953.
Thousands of dignitaries attended the coronations, royalists lined the streets and hundreds of million of Britons watched TV coverage.
According to tradition, the coronation was postponed for over a year due the period of mourning following the George VI’s death.
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The Queen meets children in Camberwell during her silver jubilee celebrations
1977: Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II
Street parties, parades and other celebrations across Britain marked the 25th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne.
At a Diamond Jubilee reception, Elizabeth II said: “When I was twenty-one I pledged my life to the service of our people and I asked for God's help to make good that vow.
“Although that vow was made in my salad days, when I was green in judgement, I do not regret nor retract one word of it.”
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Windsor Castle is engulfed in flames during a terrible fire in 1992
1992: Windsor Castle fire
A terrible fire broke out at Windsor Castle and ravaged more than 100 rooms at the Queen’s beloved residence on November 20 1992.
During renovations, a workman’s lamp had set fire to a curtain and caused an enormous blaze which lasted for 15 hours.
The same year Prince Charles separated from Princess Diana, Princess Anne divorced Mark Phillips and the Duke and Duchess of York split up.
The Queen referred to 1992 as a her 'annus horribilis’, which means 'horrible year' in Latin. She remarked: “1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure.”
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The Queen in mourning after the death of Princess Diana
1997: Elizabeth II mourns Princess Diana’s death
The tragic death of Princess Diana in a car crash in August 1997 marked the darkest moment of the reign of Elizabeth II.
The royal family initially mourned her death in private but many mourners saw them as out of touch amid the huge public outpouring of grief.
The Daily Express captured the mood of the nation with a headline that pleaded: "Show us you care.”
The Queen paid tribute to Diana a week later saying: “I admired and respected her – for her energy and commitment to others, and especially for her devotion to her two boys."
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Queen Elizabeth II leaves after the opening of City Hall in her Golden Jubilee yea
2002: Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II
Elizabeth celebrated her 50th anniversary as Queen by touring the country, going to church and holding concerts in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in 2002.
“Since 1952 I have witnessed the transformation of the international landscape through which this country must chart its course, the emergence of the Commonwealth, the growth of the European Union, the end of the Cold War, and now the dark threat of international terrorism,” she told Parliament.
“I would like above all to declare my resolve to continue, with the support of my family, to serve the people of this great nation of ours to the best of my ability through the changing times ahead.”
The Queen was deeply saddened by the death of her sister, Princess Margaret, in February and her mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, in March 2002.
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The Queen meets well-wishers during her Diamond Jubilee
2012: Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II
The Queen’s enduring popularity was evident during nationwide celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.
The feeling of warmth towards the royal family came after the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton and the birth of their children.
Queen Elizabeth II in pictures
Fri, January 27, 2017
Queen Elizabeth II making her Royal visits in her many colourful and elegant outfits.
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Queen Elizabeth looks towards a man dressed in traditional costume as she arrives to view an exhibition on Fiji at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia in Norwich, eastern England
2015: Elizabeth II becomes Britain’s longest-reigning monarch
The Queen became Britain’s longest-serving monarch – surpassing her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria – at 5.30pm on September 9 2015.
At that time Elizabeth II had served for 23,226 days, 16 hours and about 30 minutes, according to the BBC.
The monarch spent the low-key day simply doing her queenly duty by opening the Scottish Borders Railway in Scotland.
Queen Elizabeth II: 90 of her most candid snaps
Sun, June 12, 2016
To help celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday we have collated 90 of her most candid pictures.
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Reuters•Camera Press
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Celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday with her most candid images
2016: Elizabeth II becomes the world’s longest-reigning monarch
Our Queen became the world’s longest reigning monarch after the death of Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on October 13.
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