Queen Elizabeth’s life in photos: 1926-2022

“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service,” Her Majesty said in 1947

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SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 1:41 PM EDTSEP 8, 2022, 1:41 PM EDT

For 70 years, Queen Elizabeth reigned as Queen, making her the longest-serving monarch in British history. Born in 1926, the royal wasn’t expected to become Queen, however in 1936 she became the heir presumptive when her father, King George VI, acceded to the throne.

In 2022, Her Majesty became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. On the eve of the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne, Prince Charles’ mother penned a message thanking the public and her family for their support.

“As we mark this anniversary, it gives me pleasure to renew to you the pledge I gave in 1947 that my life will always be devoted to your service,” she wrote. The Queen noted that she was “fortunate to have had the steadfast and loving support of my family. I was blessed that in Prince Philip I had a partner willing to carry out the role of consort and unselfishly make the sacrifices that go with it. It is a role I saw my own mother perform during my father’s reign.”

Her Majesty concluded her message writing, “I look forward to continuing to serve you with all my heart, I hope this Jubilee will bring together families and friends, neighbours and communities - after some difficult times for so many of us - in order to enjoy the celebrations and to reflect on the positive developments in our day-to-day lives that have so happily coincided with my reign.”

Take a look back at Queen Elizabeth’s incredible life in photos....

Then-Princess Elizabeth (pictured in 1928) was born in Mayfair in 1926.

Queen Elizabeth is the eldest of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother’s children.

The Queen became a big sister in 1930 with the birth of her younger sister Princess Margaret.

After her uncle King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936, Elizabeth’s father became King. The family is pictured on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after King George VI’s coronation in 1937.

Queen Elizabeth’s engagement to Prince Philip was announced on July 9, 1947.

The couple met in 1934 when they attended Prince Philip’s cousin Princess Marina of Greece’s wedding to the Duke of Kent, who was an uncle of Princess Elizabeth, per the royal family’s website.

“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service,” Elizabeth said in a speech radio broadcast from Cape Town in 1947.

Elizabeth and Philip were married at Westminster Abbey on November 20, 1947.

Queen Elizabeth (pictured in 1947) described Prince Philip in 1997 as “my strength and stay.”

The couple welcomed their first child, Prince Charles, in 1948.

Their second child, Princess Anne, was born in 1950.

Elizabeth became Queen on February 6, 1952 following her father’s death.

The royal’s coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953.

Her Majesty’s third child, Prince Andrew, was born in 1960 followed by her fourth, Prince Edward, in 1964.

Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

Her Majesty said goodbye to her beloved husband Prince Philip in 2021.

The monarch has 12 great-grandchildren: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Archie Harrison, Lilibet Diana, Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Mia Tindall, Lena Tindall, Lucas Tindall, August Brooksbank and Sienna Elizabeth Mapelli Mozzi.

In 2022, Queen Elizabeth became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee. The milestone was celebrated in June with members of the royal family.

The monarch received her 15th prime minister, Liz Truss, at Balmoral Castle on Sept. 6.