Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, followed by her granddaughter, Princess Anne, 17, walks to her carriage at Liverpool Street station today when the Royal Family left London to spend the rest of the Christmas holiday at Sandringham, their Norfolk home

Agency: Associated Press

The Queen Mother acknowledges the welcome from the audience when she and members of the Royal Family entered the Royal box at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, for her 80th birthday gala performance of Sir Frederick Ashton's ballet "Rhapsody". Left is Prince Philip and right Princess Margaret with the Queen second right

Broadcast Date: 26 November 1986

Agency: Press Association

(Left to Right) The Queen Mother, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester and Prince Edward in Royal Marines uniform during today's VE Day Commemoration Service, attended by 2,200 people in Westminster Abbey, London

Agency: Press Association

On 4 August 1980, the Queen Mother celebrates her 80th birthday. In this library picture of 4 August 1960, she was celebrating her 60th birthday, with Prince Andrew on her lap, the Prince of Wales and Princess Anne, in the garden of Clarence House, London. Even the Queen Mother's corgi dog appears to have caught the festive mood

Broadcast Date: 3 April 1980

Agency: Press Association

The Queen Mother, Prince Charles and the Princess of Wales watch the Braemer Highland Games, the Royal Family's annual outing from their Balmoral retreat, yesterday

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell

On Monday 4 August 1975 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother will celebrate her seventy-fifth birthday. She is seen here at her country residence, The Royal Lodge, Windsor, with two of her grandsons; His Royal Highness Prince Charles, Prince of Wales (left) and His Royal Highness Prince Andrew (right)

Broadcast Date: 4 August 1975

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/45

Agency: Camera Press

Photographer: Norman Parkinson

The Queen's filly Dunfermline gets a "well done" pat from the Queen Mother in the unsaddling enclosure after winning the Jubilee year Oaks at Epsom today. On right is the Queen's trainer, Major Dick Hern. Dunfermline had beaten Freeze The Secret in an exciting finish, with Vaguely Deb third

Agency: Press Association

With Lord Glamis and Lady Thurso in the foreground, the Queen Mother and Lord Thurso (right) wait their turn to perform some of the intricacies of the Eightsome Reel, at the Royal Jubilee Ball, held in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, Caithness

Photographer: Janet McDonald

The Queen Mother flanked by Lord Thurso (right) and Lord Glamis takes the floor for one of her favourite Scottish country dances at the Royal Jubilee Ball in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, Caithness

Broadcast Date: 4 August 1985

Photographer : Janet McDonald

Scottish country dances are a great favourite of the Queen Mother's and she is pictured following Lady Thurso and the Earl of Caithness at the Royal Jubilee Ball held in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, Caithness

Photographer: Janet McDonald

Composite photograph of Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret in the garden (top) and the family gathered in the garden (bottom). Obit

Agency: Hulton Deutsch

On 4 August 1980, The Queen Mother celebrates her 80th birthday. This 1936 library picture shows her as Queen Elizabeth with King George VI, after the abdication of Edward VIII and before their coronation of 12 May 1937. Sharing their car, their daughters, Princess ELizabeth (left) the present Queen, and Princess Margaret. Obit

Broadcast Date: 4 August 1980

Agency: Press Association

Britain's Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother celebrates her birthday on 4 August. In this 1945 photograph from files the Queen Mother (2nd left), Queen Elizabeth II (left), Princess Margaret (right), King George VI and Winston Churchill stand on the Balcony at Buckingham Palace in London to acknowledge the crowds outside the palace on 8 May, VE Day. Approximately twenty thousand people waited for the party to step out early on that morning

Broadcast Date: 1985

Agency: Associated Press

Princess Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth, Mr Winston Churchill, King George VI, Princess Margaret on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, acknowledging the crowds on VE Day. Obit

Broadcast Day: 9 June 1977

Agency: Fox Photos Limited

Peter Townsend at Morning Service with the Royal Family. Group Captain Peter Townsend, then an Equerry to the King, leaving St Paul's Cathedral, London with the Royal Family after attending morning service on a National Day of Prayer in 1947

Broadcast Date: 10 November 1988

Agency: Unknown

On 4 August 1980, the Queen Mother (second right) celebrates her 80th birthday. On the day this library picture of 20 November 1947 was taken she became a mother-in-law and after the Westminster Abbey ceremony, the Royal wedding party appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. They include King George VI (left), Princess Margaret (second left), the bride Princess Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth II), the groom, newly-created the Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Mary, widow of George V

Broadcast Date: 3 April 1980

Agency: Press Association

King George VI (2nd left) and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) tour a South London bomb site with Sir John Anderson (right)

Broadcast Date: 26 November 1986

Agency: Press Association

A May 1926 library picture of the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) and her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (then the Duke and Duchess of York). Obit

Broadcast Date: 9 April 1976

Agency: Press Association

The Queen Mother, then the Duchess of York, opens the Frances Gray House in Ocean Street, Stepney

Agency: Press Association

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother as a child at her home in Scotland, Glamis Castle. She was born on 4 August 1900 as Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the daughter of the 14th Earl of Strathmore. Married His Royal Highness the Duke of York (Prince Albert) on 26 April 1923. He succeeded as King George VI on 11 December 1936 and died 6 February 1952. Her two daughters are Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, born 21 April 1926 and Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret, born 21 August 1930. Obit

Broadcast Date: 4 August 1980

Agency: Camera Press

The Queen Mother pictured dancing with Viscount Thurso of Ulbster, Lord Lieutenant of Caithness at the Royal Jubilee Ball, held in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, Caithness, where she enjoyed dancing until after 1am when she reluctantly left to drive the 24 miles back to the Castle of Mey

Photographer: Janet McDonald

The Queen Mother and the Duke of Gloucester, wearing their magnificent Garter Robes, walking in the procession to St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle this afternoon

Agency: Central Press

The Queen Mother standing on the equator line at Equator Station during her 1959 tour of Kenya with the "Colony's" Governor Sir Evelyn Baring. She is looking at a symbol of the globe on a marble plinth indicating the northern and southern hemispheres. The east African country became an independent state within the Commonwealth in 1963

Broadcast Date: 27 November 1986

Agency: Press Association

The Queen Mother, accompanied by Rear Admiral Paul Greening, Captain of the Royal Yacht Britannia, takes a ride on a gondola through the famous canals at the end of her visit to Venice

Broadcast Date: 26 November 1986

Agency: Press Association

On 4 August 1980 the Queen Mother (right) celebrates her 80th birthday. In this 23 February 1962 library picture, accompanied by the Queen, she arrives at Windsor's Theatre Royal for a performance of G B Shaw's "You Never Can Tell"

Broadcast Date: 3 April 1980

Agency: Press Association

Queen Elizabeth (left), and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother arrive at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden to attend a performance of ballet on the occasion of the Queen Mother's 80th birthday

Agency: UPI

The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret (left) arriving at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, last night for the special 80th birthday gala tribute for the Queen Mother

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell

The Queen Mother with her eldest granddaughter, Princess Anne, at Sandown Park in April 1986 when the princess had an outing as an amateur jockey. The princess finished unplaced on her horse "Well Wisher" in the EBF Sandown "Bumper" Stakes

Broadcast Date: 25 November 1986

Agency: Press Association

On 4 August 1982, the Queen Mother celebrates her 82nd birthday. On that day, Prince William of Wales will be christened in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace, London. In this December 1948 library picture, as Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI, she holds her first grandson, Prince Charles, on the occasion of his christening

Broadcast Date: 23 July 1982

Agency: Press Association

Prince Charles has a welcoming kiss for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, when she arrived at Canberra Airport, Australia today. Prince Charles who is currently in school at Timbertop, the up-country section of Geelong Grammer School, near Melbourne, Victoria, took time off to greet the Queen Mother who is on a tour of Australia and New Zealand

Agency: Associated Press

The Queen Mother holds her first grandchild Prince Charles, at his christening at Buckingham Palace on 15 December 1948

Broadcast Date: 3 July 1990

Agency: Press Association

On 4 August 1980, the Queen Mother celebrates her 80th birthday. In this December 1948 library picture, as Queen Elizabeth, wife of King George VI, she holds her first grandson, Prince Charles, on the occasion of his Buckingham Palace christening

Broadcast Date: 3 April 1980

Agency: Press Association

On Monday 4 August 1975 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother will celebrate her 75th birthday. In this charming informal portrait she is seen with her eldest grandson Prince Charles, Prince of Wales at her residence in the Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park near Windsor Castle

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/46

Agency: Camera Press

Photographer: Peter Sellers

On 4 August 1980, the Queen Mother celebrates her 80th birthday. In this library picture of May 1977, silver jubilee year, the Queen Mother, in her robes as Lady of the Thistle, travels with the Prince of Wales, through Edinburgh to attend the Thistle Service at St Giles Cathedral

Broadcast Date: 3 April 1980

Agency: Press Association

The State Visit to Paris. A delightful picture of the Queen with President Lebrun during the garden party in their Majesties honour at the Bagatelle, Paris, today

Agency: Central Press

The Queen Mother receiving the Horse and Hound Grand Military Gold Cup at Sandown today from Mrs Michael Clayton, wife of the editor, after her gelding Special Cargo won the chase for amateur riders

Agency: Press Association

Partnered by Major Alan Ferrier, the commanding officer of the local "Terriers", the Queen Mother dances the Dashing White Sergeant, at the Royal Jubilee Ball held in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, Caithness

Photographer: Janet McDonald

Obviously enjoying herself the Queen Mother applauds loudly at the end of one of the Scottish dances in which she was partnered by Lord Thurso at the Royal Jubilee Ball in the Assembly Rooms, Wick, Caithness

Photographer: Janet McDonald

King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) touring bombed districts in north west London in 1940. The King died in February 1952

Broadcast Date: 26 November 1986

Agency: Press Association

The Queen Mother celebrates her 80th birthday on 4 August 1980. In this library picture of September 1940, she tours bombed districts in the North Western area of London. With her is her husband, King George VI, who died in February 1952. The hat was typical of the elegant millinery the Queen wore during wartime. Obit

Broadcast Date: 4 August 1980

Agency: Press Association

King and Queen see air raid damage at close quarters. Photograph shows the Queen pointing out a feature of interest to the local Mayor during a visit their Majesties paid this morning to bomb damaged areas in London. Obit

Broadcast Date: 14 December 1971

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/3

Agency: Associated Press

Queen Elizabeth stands with King George VI and rescue workers who were clearing away some of the debris at Buckingham Palace following damage inflicted after a bomb dropped during a night raid, exploding at Buckingham Palace, demolishing a swimming pool and breaking windows in the North wing of the Palace. Their Majesties were absent at the time and there were no casualties

Agency: Hulton Picture Library

Queen Elizabeth stands with King George VI and rescue workers who were clearing away some of the debris at Buckingham Palace following damage inflicted after a bomb dropped during a night raid, exploding at Buckingham Palace, demolishing a swimming pool and breaking windows in the North wing of the Palace. Their Majesties were absent at the time and there were no casualties

Agency: Hulton Picture Library

Queen Elizabeth stands with King George VI and rescue workers who were clearing away some of the debris at Buckingham Palace following damage inflicted after a bomb dropped during a night raid, exploding at Buckingham Palace, demolishing a swimming pool and breaking windows in the North wing of the Palace. Their Majesties were absent at the time and there were no casualties

Broadcast Date: 1985

Agency: Associated Press

Queen Elizabeth stands with King George VI and rescue workers who were clearing away some of the debris at Buckingham Palace following damage inflicted after a bomb dropped during a night raid, exploding at Buckingham Palace, demolishing a swimming pool and breaking windows in the North wing of the Palace. Their Majesties were absent at the time and there were no casualties

Agency: Hulton Picture Library

Queen Elizabeth stands with King George VI and rescue workers who were clearing away some of the debris at Buckingham Palace following damage inflicted after a bomb dropped during a night raid, exploding at Buckingham Palace, demolishing a swimming pool and breaking windows in the North wing of the Palace. Their Majesties were absent at the time and there were no casualties

Agency: Hulton Picture Library

Queen Elizabeth stands with King George VI and rescue workers who were clearing away some of the debris at Buckingham Palace following damage inflicted after a bomb dropped during a night raid, exploding at Buckingham Palace, demolishing a swimming pool and breaking windows in the North wing of the Palace. Their Majesties were absent at the time and there were no casualties

Broadcast Date: 30 March 2002

Agency: Hulton Picture Library

The Windsors' House of Memories. Two of thousands of family photographs found hidden in the late Duke of Windsor's bath at the Paris mansion he shared with the Duchess. Left, the then Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and the Queen), right, the Queen Mother, then the Duchess of York, smoking a pipe. Obit

Broadcast Date: 6 November 1988

Agency: Press Association

His Royal Highness the Duke of York, as permanent Master of Shipwrights' Company, at Barbers' Hall today presenting to the Duchess the scroll and blotting pad, when admitting her to the Freedom of the Company in accordance with an old custom which gives this privilege to the wives of Masters

Agency: Central Press

The pensive Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and now Queen Mother) arriving at the funeral of her brother. Honorable John Herbert Bowes-Lyon, father of Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon who have been in Earlswood Mental Hospital since 1941. Funeral was at St Paul's Parish Church, Walden, Hertfordshire. Obit

Agency: Popperfoto