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Queen turns 90: Here is a look at her life in pictures
The Queen has lived through huge social change and technological advances during her time as a young princess and Britain's queen.
As Elizabeth II celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee, here are twelve pictures to illustrate important stages in the life of our beloved monarch.
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1. Elizabeth II as a baby: Picture from 1926
Princess Elizabeth was born to Prince Albert – who later became George VI – and his wife Elizabeth on April 21 1926.
The princess was called Lilibet by her family and she was educated at home with her younger sister Margaret.
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Baby Elizabeth with her royal parents in 1926
2. Elizabeth II as a child: Picture from 1928
This photograph shows the young princess giving a royal wave while dressed in an old-fashioned bonnet in 1928.
The Queen’s cousin Margaret Rhodes described her as "a jolly little girl, but fundamentally sensible and well-behaved”.
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Elizabeth gives a royal wave as a child in 1928
3. Elizabeth II as girl guide: Picture from 1942
Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret are seen wearing Girl Guide uniforms at Frogmore, Windsor, in Berkshire.
In 1937, Elizabeth became a guide, her sister became a Brownie and the late Queen Mother became patron of the Girl Guides.
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Elizabeth and her younger sister wear girl guide uniforms in 1942
4. Elizabeth II in the war: Picture from 1945
This photograph shows Princess Elizabeth driving an ambulance during her wartime service in 1945.
Near the start of the war, Elizabeth sent her best wishes to children evacuated during the Blitz during a broadcast on a radio show called Children’s Hour.
The Queen Mother refused to send her children abroad during the war. She said: “The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave.”
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Elizabeth drives an ambulance during the war in 1942
5. Elizabeth II as wife: Picture from 1947
This photograph shows newlyweds Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip enjoying a walk during their honeymoon at Broadlands, Romsey, in Hampshire.
Elizabeth married Prince Philip, who is her third cousin, at Westminster Abbey on November 20 1947.
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Elizabeth and Prince Philip enjoy a walk during their honeymoon
6. Elizabeth II as mother: Picture from 1952
This photograph shows the Queen with her sister and her children in a car leaving Euston station after a visit to Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
Elizabeth II gave birth to Prince Charles in 1948, his sister Anne in 1950 and his brother Andrew in 1960.
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Elizabeth with her sister and children in a car in 1952
7. Elizabeth II as queen: Picture from 1953
The newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II waves to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after her coronation in June 1953.
The Queen ascended the throne in February 1952 after the death of her beloved father King George VI.
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Newly crowned Queen Elizabeth waves from Buckingham Palace in 1953
8. Elizabeth II as Head of the Commonwealth: Picture from 1961
The Queen is shown taking an elephant ride in the town of Banares during a royal tour to India in 1961.
Elizabeth II has held the symbolic role as the head of the Commonwealth since her accession to the throne in 1952.
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Elizabeth II rides an elephant during a royal tour of India in 1961
9. Elizabeth II as Head of State: Picture from 1969
The Queen talks with Labour Prime Minister Howard Wilson in June 1969.
During more than six decades as Head of State, she has shown unwavering dedication and worked with 12 Prime Ministers.
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Elizabeth II speaks with Labour Prime Minister Harold Wilson in 1969
10. Elizabeth II on royal tour: 1975
Queen Elizabeth II is seen dressed in yellow with a group of local children during her state visit to Mexico.
The Queen has visited Commonwealth nations and many other countries around the world during her long reign.
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Queen Elizabeth on royal tour in Mexico in 1975
11. Elizabeth II as a grandmother: Picture from 2015
Royal Mail has released this family photo from summer 2015 to mark the release of the Queen’s 90th birthday stamps.
The Queen’s eldest grandson Prince William was born in 1982 and Prince Harry was born in 1984.
Her great-grandson Prince George was born in 2013 and her great-granddaughter Princess Charlotte was born in 2015.
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Prince George cheekily stands on foam blocks in this family photo taken in summer 2015
12. Elizabeth II as Britain’s longest serving monarch: Picture from 2015
Elizabeth II greets crowds outside Canterbury Cathedral in March 2015. Her Diamond Jubilee was celebrated in 2012.
The Queen became Britain’s longest serving monarch – surpassing her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria – in September 2015.
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Queen Elizabeth greets crowds at Canterbury Cathedral in 2015
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
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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Celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 90th birthday with her most candid images
The Queen will remember her father on Monday – the 65th anniversary of his death and her first day as Queen.
ELIZABETH II'S REIGN IN PICTURES
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