The Queen’s Most Memorable Moments

By ETCanada.com Staff. 8 Sep 2022 2:00 PM

Queen Elizabeth II has had a long and impressive life. As we honour her legacy, here are some of the most memorable moments from her impressive reign.

Photo: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Photo: Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Photo: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Photo: Frank Royal/NFB/Getty Images

Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo: Underwood Archives/Getty Images

Photo: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images

Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo: David Levenson/Getty Images

Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Photo: Tim Ockenden - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images

Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

Photo: Robert Patterson/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Photo: ROTA-Pool/Getty Images

Photo: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Photo: CPImages

Photo: AP Photo/Chris Young/PA/CPImages

Photo: Clara Molden - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Photo: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth Attends Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Wedding

JONATHAN BRADY/AFP via Getty Images

@sussexroyal/Instagram

GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images

Photo: Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP

Photo: Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images

Photo: Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images

START OVER

Next Gallery: Stars Spotted At Paris Fashion Week SS24: Zoe Kravitz, Demi Moore And Austin Butler Show Off Their Style

More Galleries

1 of 30

First Broadcast 1940
Photo: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
Always on top of the latest tech, the 14-year-old princess made her first public speech on the BBC’s "Children’s Hour" radio show.
World War II 1945
Photo: Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
Always one to do her bit for king and country, Elizabeth II joined the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service and trained as a mechanic. Despite getting older, she liked nothing more than tinkering with her Land Rover and driving stick.
Wedding Bells
Photo: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
On November 20, Elizabeth married Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey. She was tended to by eight bridesmaids and, amid all the pomp and circumstance, did her own makeup.
An Heir Is Born 1948
Photo: AFP via Getty Images
The princess gave birth to Charles Philip Arthur George on November 14. He was second-oldest heir apparent in the world.
Queen Elizabeth Has Moves
Photo: Frank Royal/NFB/Getty Images
Probably the only time in her life she was subjected to an old-fashioned do-si-do, the royal princess showed her moves at a square dance at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. (Oh what one does for one's colony!
Commitment To The Crown
Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
To build up her muscles for the big day, Elizabeth wore the Imperial State Crown to breakfast, lunch and dinner for weeks. It was the first coronation ever to be televised worldwide (and thankfully, the kingdom was not turned to ice).
Visiting Australia 1954
Photo: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Elizabeth II is the only reigning monarch of Australia to have set foot on Australian soil. It was her favourite place to visit, having been there a whopping 16 times. Good on ya, mate.
Long Distance Call 1961
Photo: Underwood Archives/Getty Images
Call me maybe. She inaugurated the Canadian Trans-Atlantic Telephone cable system on December 19 by making the first long distance call from London to Prime Minister John Diefenbaker in Ottawa.
Queen Underground 1969
Photo: © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
So this is how the common people get around! Queen E. stylishly rode the rails for the official opening ceremony of London's new Victoria Line.
Silver Jubilee 1977
Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
She marked her 25th year as monarch doing dozens of walkabouts across the UK and clocking in more than 56,000 miles of international travel.
Riding With Reagan 1982
Photo: David Levenson/Getty Images
The two had an early morning cantor through Windsor Great Park. Ah, to have been a fly on those horses...
State Visit To China 1986
Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Always a trailblazer, the Queen's visit in October made history. No British monarch had ever travelled to mainland China, let alone walk the Great Wall.
Windsor Fire 1992
Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
The Queen's childhood home went up in flames after a spotlight ignited a curtain causing extensive damage. 1992 was 'annus horribilis' for her majesty: Three of her children (Anne, Charles and Andrew) each saw their marriages fall apart.
A Good Shot 1993
Photo: Tim Ockenden - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
She was always a tough ol' gal and proved it yet again while firing a shot at the centenary of the Army Rifle Association while wearing long white gloves.
Meeting Mandel 1995
Photo: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
A warm friendship developed between the two after her first visit to South Africa. She called him Nelson and he called her Elizabeth.
Mourning Diana 1997
Photo: Robert Patterson/Mirrorpix/Getty Images
After public criticism for not flying the palace flag at half-mast when Diana died, the Queen finally paid a classy public tribute to her former daughter-in-law calling her "an exceptional and gifted human being."
Charles & Camilla 2005
Photo: ROTA-Pool/Getty Images
The Queen (finally) gave her approval for Charles to marry his former mistress Camilla Parker Bowles and made her HRH the Duchess of Cornwall. She told guests in her wedding speech that her son was "home and dry with the woman he loves." And coming from her, that sounds pretty darn romantic.
Obama Hug 2009
Photo: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Images of Michelle with her arm around the Queen went viral during the Obamas' visit to Buckingham Palace. It seems the cool Queen took a liking to the First Lady by reciprocating the gesture.
State Visit Ireland 2011
Photo: CPImages
The Queen made the first state visit to the Republic of Ireland by a British monarch ever. It was also the largest security operation in the history of the region.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip
Photo: AP Photo/Chris Young/PA/CPImages
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip enjoy the spectacle, as a swarm of bees cause concern prior to The Queens Company Review at Windsor Castle.
Will & Kate 2011
Photo: Clara Molden - WPA Pool/Getty Images
She was rather upstaged by a certain MOH but the Queen looked radiant in yellow at her grandson William's wedding to Kate.
Heirs & Spares 2015
Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
It was a rare public exchange between the oldest and (second) youngest royal at the Christening of Princess Charlotte but an adorable one indeed.
The Queen Turns 90 2016
Photo: John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images
In 2016, Queen Elizabeth turned 90 and their was no shortage of events to celebrate.

That included "The Patron's Lunch" celebrations on The Mall where a large number of the royals attended including Prince Harry, Prince William, Kate Middleton and Zara TIndall.
Sapphire Jubilee 2017
Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth became the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee (65 years of reigning) on Feb. 6, 2017.

Celebrations were kept minimal as it also marks the day her father died.
Queen Elizabeth Attends Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Wedding
JONATHAN BRADY/AFP via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth watched on as another one of her grandchildren got married.

The monarch wore a fresh yellow outfit for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
The Queen Meets Archie
@sussexroyal/Instagram
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip are introduced to Archie Harrison Windsor Mountbatten shortly after he was born.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and her mother, Doria Ragland brought Her Majesty's great-grandson to see her after his official photos were taken.
The Addresses The Nation Over COVID-19
GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth gives a rare address to the nation amid the coronavirus pandemic to help spread hope.

“I also want to thank those who are staying at home, thereby helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones,” she said in the message.
Prince Philip's Funeral 2021
Photo: Jonathan Brady/Pool via AP
The defining image of Prince Philip's funeral as Queen Elizabeth sits alone due to COVID-19 protocols.
Platinum Jubilee 2022
Photo: Steve Parsons-WPA Pool/Getty Images
As Queen Elizabeth got ready to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee she had a chance to reflect on the past as she looked through memorabilia from her Golden and Platinum Jubilees.
Service Of Thanksgiving 2022
Photo: Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images
With pandemic restrictions eased, the Royal Family was able to finally all come together to celebrate Prince Philip's life.

A Service of Thanksgiving was held at Westminster Abbey where Queen Elizabeth made one of her rare public outings of the year.

The Queen’s Most Memorable Moments

More Galleries

Latest Galleries