A world war, 14 prime ministers, the first man on the moon and the birth of the internet – these are only some of the major developments she has seen.
But today we are stepping back in time to the 1920s and 1930s with these heartwarming pictures of Her Majesty as a princess before she became queen.
![Weston Mercury: The Queen Mother (then the Duchess of York) with her husband, King George VI (then the Duke of York), and their daughter Queen Elizabeth II at her christening in May 1926.]( "Weston Mercury: The Queen Mother (then the Duchess of York) with her husband, King George VI (then the Duke of York), and their daughter Queen Elizabeth II at her christening in May 1926.")
The Queen Mother (then the Duchess of York) with her husband, King George VI (then the Duke of York), and their daughter Queen Elizabeth II at her christening in May 1926. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: The Duke and Duchess of York with King George V and Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Date: June 27, 1927.]( "Weston Mercury: The Duke and Duchess of York with King George V and Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Date: June 27, 1927.")
The Duke and Duchess of York with King George V and Queen Mary and Princess Elizabeth, on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. Date: June 27, 1927. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
She was born Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary in the early hours of April 21, 1926, at 17 Bruton Street, in Mayfair, London.
The first child of the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, she was joined in the family household by her sister, Princess Margaret, four years later.
![Weston Mercury: Two-year-old Princess Margaret (seated) with her sister Princess Elizabeth, aged seven. Date: January 1, 1933.]( "Weston Mercury: Two-year-old Princess Margaret (seated) with her sister Princess Elizabeth, aged seven. Date: January 1, 1933.")
Two-year-old Princess Margaret (seated) with her sister Princess Elizabeth, aged seven. Date: January 1, 1933. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Please enjoy these old photos of the Queen when she was Princess Elizabeth as a celebration of her life and service in this historic Platinum Jubilee year.
As Her Majesty celebrates her record-breaking reign we have delved into our archives to create a tribute to her life and 70 years of service. Filled with photos and history, Our Queen's Platinum Reign is a magazine we hope readers will treasure for years to come. This special souvenir is available for £9.99 online and in-store.
Order online by clicking this link www.gblshop.co.uk/jubilee. Find shops stocking the magazine near you by heading over to seymour.co.uk/storefinder/. Select 'Our Queens Platinum Reign' from the drop-down menu along with your postcode and radius.
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth waves to crowds as she arrives back in Piccadilly. Date: May 3, 1928.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth waves to crowds as she arrives back in Piccadilly. Date: May 3, 1928.")
Princess Elizabeth waves to crowds as she arrives back in Piccadilly. Date: May 3, 1928. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth in the park on March 1, 1929.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth in the park on March 1, 1929.")
Princess Elizabeth in the park on March 1, 1929. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth and a Highland Regiment drummer, during a visit to Scotland. Date: January 1, 1929.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth and a Highland Regiment drummer, during a visit to Scotland. Date: January 1, 1929.")
Princess Elizabeth and a Highland Regiment drummer, during a visit to Scotland. Date: January 1, 1929. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York. Date: July 1, 1930.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York. Date: July 1, 1930.")
Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York. Date: July 1, 1930. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth arriving with her mother, the Duchess of York, at The Royal Tournament at Olympia. Date: June 5, 1931]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth arriving with her mother, the Duchess of York, at The Royal Tournament at Olympia. Date: June 5, 1931")
Princess Elizabeth arriving with her mother, the Duchess of York, at The Royal Tournament at Olympia. Date: June 5, 1931 (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth arriving at the 16th century church at Balcombe, Sussex, for the wedding of Lady May Cambridge and Captain Henry Abel Smith. Date: October 24, 1931.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth arriving at the 16th century church at Balcombe, Sussex, for the wedding of Lady May Cambridge and Captain Henry Abel Smith. Date: October 24, 1931.")
Princess Elizabeth arriving at the 16th century church at Balcombe, Sussex, for the wedding of Lady May Cambridge and Captain Henry Abel Smith. Date: October 24, 1931. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth walking bareheaded through the rain to visit the Royal Tournament at Olympia in London. Date: May 27, 1932.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth walking bareheaded through the rain to visit the Royal Tournament at Olympia in London. Date: May 27, 1932.")
Princess Elizabeth walking bareheaded through the rain to visit the Royal Tournament at Olympia in London. Date: May 27, 1932. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) on a tricycle in the park. Date: January 1, 1933.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) on a tricycle in the park. Date: January 1, 1933.")
Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II) on a tricycle in the park. Date: January 1, 1933. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth spending her 7th birthday riding her favourite pony in Windsor Great Park. Date: April 23, 1933.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth spending her 7th birthday riding her favourite pony in Windsor Great Park. Date: April 23, 1933.")
Princess Elizabeth spending her 7th birthday riding her favourite pony in Windsor Great Park. Date: April 23, 1933. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: The Duchess of York (centre) and her two small daughters Princess Elizabeth (left) and her sister Princess Margaret (front) at a Disabled ex-soldiers sale of work at 35 Lowndes Square in London. Date: May 16, 1933.]( "Weston Mercury: The Duchess of York (centre) and her two small daughters Princess Elizabeth (left) and her sister Princess Margaret (front) at a Disabled ex-soldiers sale of work at 35 Lowndes Square in London. Date: May 16, 1933.")
The Duchess of York (centre) and her two small daughters Princess Elizabeth (left) and her sister Princess Margaret (front) at a Disabled ex-soldiers sale of work at 35 Lowndes Square in London. Date: May 16, 1933. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: The Duchess of York (centre) and her two daughters, Princess Elizabeth (2nd right) and Princess Margaret Rose (right), at a disabled soldiers sale of work at 35 Lowndes Square, London. Date: May 16, 1933.]( "Weston Mercury: The Duchess of York (centre) and her two daughters, Princess Elizabeth (2nd right) and Princess Margaret Rose (right), at a disabled soldiers sale of work at 35 Lowndes Square, London. Date: May 16, 1933.")
The Duchess of York (centre) and her two daughters, Princess Elizabeth (2nd right) and Princess Margaret Rose (right), at a disabled soldiers sale of work at 35 Lowndes Square, London. Date: May 16, 1933. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: The Duchess of York, with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, arriving at Olympia for the International Horse show. Date: June 26, 1934.]( "Weston Mercury: The Duchess of York, with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, arriving at Olympia for the International Horse show. Date: June 26, 1934.")
The Duchess of York, with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, arriving at Olympia for the International Horse show. Date: June 26, 1934. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
![Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke of York, later King George VI, and bridesmaid to her uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Date: November 6, 1935.]( "Weston Mercury: Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke of York, later King George VI, and bridesmaid to her uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Date: November 6, 1935.")
Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke of York, later King George VI, and bridesmaid to her uncle, the Duke of Gloucester. Date: November 6, 1935. (Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here