London. A June 1953 library picture of the scene of the balcony at Buckingham Palace as members of the Royal view the fly past by the Royal Air Force after the Coronation. With the Queen, wearing the Imperial State Crown, are (from left) Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Philip, the Queen Mother and the Duke of Gloucester (rear)

Broadcast Date: 9 April 1976

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

The Coronation. The Queen wearing Saint Edward's Crown, receives the kiss of homage from Prince Philip after being crowned in Westminster Abbey. Queen and Prince Philip's Silver Wedding: Press Association library photo from a collection reissued to mark the silver wedding of the Queen and Prince Philip, who will have been married 25 years on 20 November

Broadcast Date: August 1972

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

The Duke Pays Homage. London. The Duke of Edinburgh paying homage to the Queen during her Coronation in Westminster Abbey

Broadcast Date: 8 December 1976

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

A 1928 library picture of the toddler Princess Elizabeth enjoying a carriage drive in London. The Queen's 60th Birthday 5 March 1986: one of a special series of 12 pictures to mark The Queen's 60th Birthday on 21 April 1986

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

London. File photo of Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation ceremony. Thursday is the 30th anniversary of the state and religious pomp of her coronation in Westminster Abbey when she ascended the throne following the death of her father, George VI

Broadcast Date: 6 January 1983

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: UPI

A new and striking portrait of the Queen portrays her with an air of calm and firm authority. Her Majesty is wearing an evening gown (the colour is leaf green) and with it a pearl and diamond necklace; the principal feature of the necklace is a miniature replica of the Crown. The portrait, which is 48 inches x 35 inches in size, is destined for the Public Art Gallery at Dunedin, New Zealand, and was commissioned to commemorate the Queen's visit to the Gallery during the Royal Commonwealth Tour, 1953 - 1954. The painting is the work of Edward Halliday, 54 year old President of the Royal Society of British Artists, who has probably painted the Queen more often than any other contemporary portraitist. The portrait is on show at the RBA Galleries, Suffolk Street, London, SW1

ITN Reference: 16/ELI/11

Agency: Camera Press London

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/42

Agency: Camera Press London

The first time the Queen stepped on British soil as Monarch, her Majesty is seen arriving home from East Africa the day after her father, the late King George VI had died. She and the Duke were on a Royal Tour. At the bottom of the steps waiting to pay his respects to the new Queen is Winston Churchill who was then Prime Minister. The Queen's Silver Jubilee: This year, on 6 February, Her Majesty The Queen celebrates the 25th anniversary of her accession to the throne, and the occasion will be marked by ceremonies and services throughout the country and commonwealth

Broadcast Date: 6 February 1977

Agency: Central Press Photos

New Pictures of a Royal Family. New pictures of Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, with Prince Charles, born 14 November 1948, and Princess Anne, born 15 August 1950, taken in the grounds of Clarence House, their London residence

Agency: Central Press Photos

Princess Anne, when she was one year old, in the arms of her mother, the Queen, and pictured with the Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles in the grounds of Clarence House which was then their home in August 1951. Princess Anne Wedding Series: This is one of a special series of pictures of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne issued for publication in connection with her forthcoming marriage in November to Captain Mark Phillips

Broadcast Date: September 1973

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Central Press Photos

New Picture of the Royal Family. New pictures of Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh with Prince Charles, and Princess Anne, taken in the grounds of Clarence House, their London residence

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Central Press Photos

Portrait of Her Majesty The Queen by Robbie Wraith 1998. "By far and away the best recent portrait of the Queen" Brian Sewell, Evening Standard, 6 May 1998; "…..a work of great affection and sensitivity" The Right Honourable Chris Smith MP, Minister of State for Culture, Media and Sport

Agency: Prudence Cuming Associates Limited

Great Brington. The card on the wreath from the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Wednesday's funeral for the Princess of Wales's father, Earl Spencer

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: David Jones

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/148

Agency: The Royal Warrant Holders Association

Windsor, Berkshire. Royal Kiss. The Prince of Wales bestows a kiss upon the hand of his mother, the Queen, when she presented the losing captain with a runners up prize following his team's defeat by France in the Silver Jubilee Cup match at today's Cartier International Polo Day at Windsor Great Park

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell [Press Association Court Photographer]

Queen's Ticket to Ride.The Queen chats with Lord Mayor of London, Sir David Rowe-Ham sitting in one of the high tech system's driverless trains at Popular Station in east London today, when she inaugurated the £77 million docklands railway

Agency: Press Association

Ascot. Winning Princess. A proud looking Queen and jovial Queen Mother in the winner's enclosure at Ascot today with the Princess Royal, after Princess Anne had won the most valuable race for lady amateur riders, the Dresden Diamond Stakes today on Ten No Trumps. The jockey princess beat the favourite Tahilla by four lengths

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

State Banquet for King Hassan. King Hassan of Morocco with the Queen at Buckingham Palace tonight where the British and Moroccan royal families sat down to a state banquet. King Hassan and some members of his 180 strong entourage will be guests at the Palace for three nights during his first state visit to Britain

Agency: Press Association

Queen's Speech. The Queen, wearing her imperial state crown delivers her speech outlining the new Conservative government's legislative programme, in the Chamber of the House of Lords during the state opening of parliament today

Agency: Press Association

Queen Makes Friends with Elephants. The Queen makes friends with a couple of performing elephants from a circus in London's Hyde Park today, when she attended a huge children's party celebrating the centenary of the St John Ambulance Brigade

Agency: Press Association

A family occasion after the christening in Buckingham Palace of Princess Anne, daughter of the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) and Prince Philip (then the Duke of Edinburgh). King George VI leans over to look at his grand daughter, held by her mother, with Queen Elizabeth (now Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother) holding Prince Charles. On extreme left is the baby's great grandmother, Queen Mary

Broadcast Date: August 1972

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

Queen Elizabeth II looks over to listens to the speech of West Berlin Mayor Eberhard Diepgen during his address at a dinner tonight. The Queen later in her own address underlines Britain's commitment to the city

Agency: Press Association/ Reuter

Maundy Gift for The Queen. The Queen accepts a bunch of daffodils from a well wisher in the crowd during her walkabout today after the traditional Maundy Thursday service in Ely Cathedral, where she had presented the Royal Maundy money to 122 pensioners, a man and a woman for each of her 61 years. The Royal Maundy dates back to the 12th century. In her left hand, the Queen carries a sweet smelling nosegay, following a custom which survives from the days when such a posy was thought to afford protection against the plague

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell

Queen at Royal Society. The Queen meets Lord Rhodes at last night's reception to mark the inauguration of the Royal Fellowship Programme in China, which she attended at the Royal Society in London with the Duke of Edinburgh

Agency: Press Association

Queen and Edwina. The Queen and Junior Health Minister Mrs Edwina Currie on arrival at Winchester's Royal Hampshire County Hospital today, where the Queen opened an extension

Agency: Press Association

The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, makes her speech at today's Opening of Parliament

Agency: Press Association

Queen Elizabeth II reviews the Guard of Honour upon her arrival on the Queen's Pier today at the start of her two day visit to the colony. Colour key: Dress is aqua blue, red ball on top of Ghurka caps, gloves white, flesh tones

Agency: Press Association/ Reuter

Photographer: Richard Ellis

The Royal Yacht Britannia sails into Hong Kong harbour past the 'ever present' construction of sky scrapers in downtown. The Queen arrived in Hong Kong for a two day visit after spending six days in China

Agency: Press Association/ Reuter

The Queen in China. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh applaud a performance of ethnic dances by children in the playground of Peking's June 1 kindergarten yesterday

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell

Royal Couple on The Wall. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip pose for a picture on the Great Wall of China at Badaling north of Peking Tuesday

Agency: Associated Press

Queen at The Great Wall. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit the Great Wall of China at Badaling, China, Tuesday

Agency: Associated Press

In this library picture of 21 October 1950, she attends the Christening of her second grandchild and first grand daughter, Princess Anne, held by the then Princess Elizabeth, who is now the Queen. Others in this picture are King George VI, the baby's father The Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Mary, the baby's great grandmother. The Queen Mother holds Prince Charles. On 4 August 1980, The Queen Mother (right) celebrates her 80th birthday

Broadcast Date: 3 August 1980

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

Deng and The Queen. China's top leader, Deng Xiaoping, gestures while speaking Tuesday morning with Britain's Queen Elizabeth. They met at Peking's Diaoyutai State Guest House

Agency: Associated Press

Welcoming Banquet. Clinking their glasses together, The Queen toasts China's President Li Xiannian (77) at tonight's welcoming banquet in Peking, People's Republic of China, the first full day of her official visit

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell

Queen Elizabeth II walks through the Imperial Gardens of the Forbidden City in Peking, Monday, the first full day of her week long visit to China

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell

Smiles All Around. Britain's Queen Elizabeth, and Chinese behind her including Foreign Minister Wu Xueqian, smile as Chinese youngster salutes after presenting her with a bouquet Sunday at Peking airport. The Queen arrived for a six day visit to China, her first

Agency: Associated Press

Southampton. Royals depart for annual holiday. The Queen bids farewell to well wishers at Southampton today, while her granddaughter Zara Phillips gives a more naval wave from the Royal Yacht Britannia before it heads for Balmoral, Scotland and the Royal family's annual holiday

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell [Press Association Court Photographer]

Wedding. London. Queen Elizabeth waves goodbye (left) as the open carriage carrying the Duke and Duchess of York leaves Buckingham Palace on the start of their honeymoon journey. The Duchess of York can be seen looking back behind a giant teddy bear that rides in the carriage with them

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: Reuter

Photographer: Rob Taggart

Royal Guard. Britain's Queen Elizabeth reviews the Gentlemen at Arms, the Sovereign's nearest guard, at St James's Palace, London, Wednesday, when she presented them with a new standard. The Gentlemen at Arms were started by King Henry VIII in 1509 as his personal bodyguard

Agency: Associated Press

Agency: Metropolitan Police

The Queen presents the Winners Cup for the 'Best Turned-Out Group of Officers and Horses' to 'Peeler' PC David Edwards, of Hyde Park Station at a Horse Show at Imber Court, Surrey today. The show marks the 150th anniversary of the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch

Agency: Press Association

Windsor Ball. At last night's Royal Ascot ball at Windsor Castle (2nd left to right) singer Sarah Payne; Prince Edward; actor Ian Charleson; The Queen; lyricist Tim Rice (behind Queen); composer Andrew Lloyd-Webber; theatre director Trevor Nunn, and the Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Edward recently invited Lloyd-Webber and Rice to write a piece of music as birthday presents for his royal parents. Called "Cricket" and directed by Nunn it was performed during the ball

Agency: Press Association

Photographer: Ron Bell

Agency: Unknown

ITN Reference: ROYAL/ELIZ/

Agency: The Illustrated London News Picture Library

Garter Ceremony. The Queen, Sovereign of the Order of the Garter and Royal Garter Knight the Duke of Edinburgh leaving St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle today after the Garter Service

Agency: Press Association

At the Head of the Troops. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the uniform of Colonel in Chief of the Scots Guards, accompanied by Prince Philip, right returns from Horse Guard's Parade, following the ceremony of Trooping the Colour in London, Saturday. Despite fears of a possible terrorist attack Her Majesty rode the 24 year old mare Burmese at the head of her troops as usual to and from the parade ground

Agency: Associated Press

Farewell Burmese. This June 1986 photo from files shows Britain's Queen Elizabeth at this year's Trooping the Colour ceremony, riding Burmese. It was the last time she rode the horse at this ceremony, it was announced from Buckingham Palace Monday. In future, the Queen will drive to her annual birthday parade by carriage, meaning the end of the 18 year double act. The Queen has decided to retire the horse, nearly 24, and does not want to start again with a new side saddle horse

Broadcast Date: 22 December 1986

Agency: Associated Press

"Fanfare for Elizabeth". The Queen, celebrating her 60th birthday today on tonight's arrival at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London for the gala "Fanfare for Elizabeth"

Agency: Press Association