In pictures: Queen Elizabeth's reign

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom died on Sept. 8 at the age of 96. Her 70 years and seven months' reign was the longest of any British monarch. In this photo essay, we look back at her years on the throne with photos.

At Windsor Castle in 1927. ©︎AP

Princess Elizabeth's wedding ceremony with Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey in 1947. ©︎AP

Princess Elizabeth holds Prince Charles after his christening in 1948. ©︎AP

Her coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey on June 2, 1953. ©︎AP

Japan's Crown Prince Akihito, now Emperor Emeritus Akihito (front row, fourth from left), attends the coronation. ©︎Kyodo

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip respond to the crowd's cheers from Buckingham Palace's balcony after the coronation on June 2, 1953. ©︎AP

Queen Elizabeth II rides an elephant in Benares during the Royal Tour of India in 1961. ©︎Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip parade in Tokyo during their visit to Japan in May 1975.

Queen Elizabeth II toasts Emperor Hirohito at the Imperial banquet in May 1975.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit NHK studios and meet with actors in May 1975.

Queen Elizabeth II meets Chinese Leader Deng Xiaoping in China in 1986. ©︎Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II smiles with Princess Diana in August 1987. ©︎AP

Queen Elizabeth II sits with the Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej during a state banquet at the Grand Palace in 1996 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Thai King's accession to the throne. ©︎Reuters

Japanese Emperor and Empress (now the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emeritus) pose for a photo with Queen Elizabeth II at an official dinner at Buckingham Palace in London during their visit to the U.K. in May 1998.

Queen Elizabeth II shows a collection of drawings by Leonardo da Vinci to Japan's Crown Prince (now Emperor) at Windsor Castle in May 2001. ©︎AP

Queen Elizabeth II stands on the balcony with her family at a ceremony of the 70th anniversary of her reign in June 2022. ©︎Reuters

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes the U.K.'s new Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle in northern Scotland on Sept. 6. She had been energetically working on official duties until shortly before her death.

Queen Elizabeth II welcomes U.K.'s new Prime Minister Truss at Balmoral Castle in northern Scotland on Sept. 6. She had been energetically working on official duties until shortly before her death. ©︎AP

A large rainbow appears over people gathering in front of Buckingham Palace in London on Sept. 8, concerned about the queen's condition. ©︎Reuters