Seventy photos for 70 years of the Queen’s record-breaking reign

The monarch’s Platinum Jubilee is on February 6, with national celebrations set for June.

Seventy photos marking the Queen’s 70 years on the throne have been compiled to celebrate the monarch’s Platinum Jubilee.

With an image of Elizabeth II from every full year of her reign, the pictures, brought together by the PA news agency, show the Queen through the decades – from a twenty-something sovereign to an experienced head of state in her twilight years.

She was travelling back to Clarence House after landing in London Airport, having just returned from Kenya two days after the death of her beloved father George VI.

Royalty – Death of King George VI – London — The new Queen, Elizabeth II returns to Clarence House, London, with the Duke of Edinburgh from London Airport after the sudden death of her father (PA)

Riding at Windsor, days at the races and cuddling corgis are just some of the glimpses of the behind-the-scenes Queen.

Royalty – Royal Windsor Horse Show – Virginia Water — The Queen sitting on a grassy bank with the corgis as she watches competitors, including the Duke of Edinburgh, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1973 (PA)

In 1993, the capable Queen, with one eye closed, is pictured firing the last shot on a standard SA 80 rifle during a visit to the Army Rifle Association at Bisley Ranges.

THE QUEEN AT BISLEY — The Queen fires the last shot on a rifle at Bisley ranges (Tim Ockenden/PA)

A visit to the EastEnders’ Queen Vic pub and a front row seat at London Fashion Week are some of the lighter engagements during the monarch’s many years of royal duties.

Royal visit to London Fashion Week — The Queen sits next to Dame Anna Wintour at London Fashion Week in 2018 (Yui Mok/PA)

The Queen paid her respects as she laid a wreath at the Armed Forces Memorial at the national Memorial Arboretum in 2011, and in 2013, joined the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders for a group photograph.

Royal visit to Howe Barracks — The Queen joins The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, 5th Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland for a group photograph (Chris Ison/PA)

They were photographed to mark Philip’s 99th birthday.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor to mark Philip’s 99th birthday (Steven Parsons/PA)

But within a year, Philip had died. The Queen sat alone at his funeral amid Covid-19 restrictions in 2021.

Coronavirus – Fri Jan 14, 2022 — The Queen at Philip’s funeral (Jonathan Brady/PA)

In 1982, the sovereign took snaps on her gold Rollei camera during her royal visit to the South Sea islands of Tuvalu.

Royalty – Queen’s Tour of Australia and South Pacific – Tuvalu — The Queen taking photographs on Tuvalu in 1982 (Ron Bell/PA)