Queen Elizabeth Celebrates 70th Anniversary Of Her Succession To The Throne

By Sarah Curran. 8 Sep 2022 3:15 PM

On Feb. 6 1952, the then Princess Elizabeth received news that would change her life forever. While visiting East Africa with husband Prince Philip, Elizabeth learned that her father, King George VI, had passed away.

On the 70th anniversary of the momentous occasion, ET Canada looks back at photos from that remarkable period in history.

Photo: NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images

Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo: Ron Case/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo: Central Press/Getty Images

Photo: Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images

Photo: Blandford/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

Photo: Central Press/Getty Images

Photo: John Chillingworth/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Photo: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

START OVER

Next Gallery: Stars Spotted At Milan Fashion Week SS24: Jessica Chastain And Jeremy Strong Hit The Red Carpet Together

More Galleries

1 of 10

Farewell Princess
Photo: NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh are seen on a bridge in the grounds of Sagana Lodge during a trip to Kenya on Feb. 5, 1952.

The following day, news would arrive of the death of King George VI and Elizabeth's accession to the throne.
The King Is Dead
Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Crowds outside Buckingham Palace read the news in the Evening Standard newspaper after King George VI passes away at Sandringham.

The headline reads, "The King Is Dead".
A Solemn Return Home
Photo: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Following the death of King George VI and Elizabeth's accession to the throne, the new Queen and Prince Philip return to London in their BOAC airliner.
Three Queens In Mourning
Photo: Ron Case/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Queen Mary are seen dressed in black as they await the special train bringing the coffin of King George VI from Sandringham to London's King's Cross railway station on Feb. 11, 1952.
Taking The Throne
Photo: Central Press/Getty Images
After taking time to respect the mourning of her father, the coronation of Elizabeth II took place at Westminster Abbey in London on June 2 1953.

The young mother of two was just 25 when she began her reign.
Street Princess
Photo: Thurston Hopkins/Picture Post/Getty Images
A young girl with a homemade tiara plays princess at a street party celebrating the coronation.

Similar celebrations took place in communities all over Great Britain.
A Crowd Of Thousands
Photo: Blandford/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
A huge crowd packs Pall Mall in Central London after the coronation.

Thousands of people will once again come together to celebrate Queen Elizabeth on her Platinum Jubilee this year with event planned across the U.K. and Commonwealth countries.
Family Photo
Photo: Central Press/Getty Images
Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret gather together for some photos in the throne room of Buckingham Palace after the coronation ceremony.

Elizabeth's gown was designed by Sir Norman Hartnell, who described the dress as "the most momentous commission" of his career.
All Partied Out
Photo: John Chillingworth/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
After a day of celebrations, two tired little girls get some rest underneath an umbrella.
Queen Of Hearts
Photo: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Elizabeth is joined by her husband and children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, as she greets the public from a balcony after becoming the 39th Sovereign to be crowned at Westminster Abbey.

Queen Elizabeth Celebrates 70th Anniversary Of Her Succession To The Throne

More Galleries

Latest Galleries