As the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday, and a grateful Britain will honor a woman who through seven decades has remained gloriously and relentlessly enigmatic yet unmistakably regal.
So to celebrate her entrance into the select elite of nonagenarians, Rediff.com has chosen the highlights of her reign -- from her Coronation right up to the present day.
Happy Birthday Liz!
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN: The Coronation ceremony of Queen Elizabeth in 1952 is considered one of the most iconic days in the history of the world.
LIZ THE TRUCKER: An 18-year-old Princess Elizabeth, who trained as a truck driver, stands next to a medical transport vehicle during a photograph clicked during the Second World War.
JUST LIKE ROSIE THE RIVETER: During World War II, 18-year-old Princess Elizabeth, who trained as a mechanic and truck driver and continues to be the only female member of the royal family to have entered the armed forces.
A WRENCH IN THE WORKS: The then Princess Elizabeth hard at work repairing a military-use truck during her time with the armed forces.
LOVE IS IN THE AIR: A photograph of Elizabeth and husband Philip clicked during their honeymoon. The Queen met her future husband Philip Mountbatten at the mere age of 13 and it was, apparently, love at first sight. The pair began writing letters and, after getting secretly engaged in 1946, told the world following Elizabeth's 21st birthday. They were married a year later on 20th November 1947 in Westminster Abbey.
LOVE IS STILL IN THE AIR: Nearly seven decades later this photograph bears witness to the couple's continuing romance!
CLICKITY CLICK: The Queen, a keen photographer, seen teaching a young Prince Charles, how to use a camera. Photograph: Getty Images
BURNING THE AIRWAVES: Princess Elizabeth makes her first broadcast, accompanied by her younger sister Princess Margaret Rose October 12, 1940 in London. Photograph: Getty Images
SHAKEN NOT STIRRED: The Queen is joined by Daniel 'James Bond' Craig who was on her majesty's secret service as part of the introduction to the 2012 London Olympics
THE DAM BUSTERS MARCH: Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, inspecting the Guard of Honor at the Kenya Regiment Headquarters, February 3rd 1952. Photograph: Chris Ware/Getty Images
FACE TO FACE: What happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object? They chat! As did Queen Elizabeth and Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1969. Photograph: Keystone/Getty Images
BALLROOM BALLERINA: Putting her best foot forward was a talent for Queen Elizabeth II, who is seen her dancing with Air Marshal Sir John Baldwin, colonel of the 8th Hussars, at a ball held at the Hyde Park Hotel, London, November 26, 1954. The ball was to celebrate the centenary of the Battle of Balaclava. Photograph: Dennis Oulds/Getty Images
CAUGHT BETWEEN KILTS: Dressing in Scottish kilts will not help one outdo the style and grace of the Queen as is fully evinced by this picture of Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles during a Highland Games Gathering in Scotland. Photograph: Russell Cheyne/Reuters
The QUEEN IN 3D: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh wear 3 D glasses to watch a display and pilot a JCB digger, during a visit to the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research centre, in Sheffield, England. Photograph: John Giles/Getty Images Images
THE QUEEN AKA ROBIN HOOD: Queen Elizabeth reminds us that she can easily pass off as that green hooded rogue of British legend. Is Hollywood paying any attention yet? Photograph: Max Mumby/Getty Images
GRUMPY OLD GAL: The Queen gives a royal horse the ultimate death stare.
Where's the bookies! The Queen shelters from the rain at the Newbury racecourse in Greenham. Photograph: Getty Images
HOLY MOLEY: Britain Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by her husband The Duke of Edinburgh views the sculpture of a Dung Beetle atop a giant ball of facsimile dung. Photograph: Reuters
WHO'S THE BEST DRESSED OF THEM ALL: Managing to look graceful and stylish while standing next to pantomimes is a tall order. Does the Queen do the job well? Heck yeah. Photograph: Reuters
YOU TALKIN' TO ME: Looking just as majestic as she was at the time of her coronation, the Queen is study in poise and presentability in this picture. Photograph: Getty Images
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