Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, passed away Thursday at the age of 96. She was a life-long public figure, even before she assumed the throne on Feb.
6, 1952.She has served as a symbol of stability as Britain negotiated the end of its empire, the dawn of the information age, and the mass migration that transformed the country into a multicultural society.Throughout it all, the queen built a bond with the nation through a seemingly endless series of public appearance as she opened libraries, dedicated hospitals and bestowed honors on deserving citizens.RELATED: Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch, dies at 96Here's a look at her life throughout the years.
Princess Elizabeth of York, future Queen Elizabeth II, was born in 1926, seen here in 1928 at age 2 with her nanny, Clara Knight, known as "Allah." (Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) The Duchess of York arriving at the Royal Tournament at Olympia in 1935 with her daughters Princess Margaret, left and Princess Elizabeth, right.
Duchess of York, future Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal April 1940: Princess Elizabeth out riding at the Royal Lodge, Windsor. (Photo by Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Getty Images) Princess Elizabeth makes a broadcast from the gardens of Government House in Cape Town, South Africa, on the occasion of her 21st birthday, 21st April 1947.