The longest-reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II was at the heart of British life for almost a century. She led a very public life, seen by millions through photographs, film, and television--from the time of her birth in 1926 to her coronation in 1952 to the final years of her reign. This book celebrates her life through photographs drawn largely from the archives of the BBC. From the Queen's earliest days to her Diamond Jubilee and the weddings of her children and grandchildren--and a special section chronicling the ceremonies surrounding her funeral and poignant images celebrating her legacy--it is a wonderful homage to an iconic figure.