70 Photos of The Queen of England In Honor of Her Platinum Jubilee

Celebrations are officially underway as the Queen of England marks her Platinum Jubilee. At 96 years old, Queen Elizabeth II has sat on the British throne for 70 years and is the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom.  

The momentous occasion means a variety of large-scale events will draw eyes from all over the world throughout the weekend, but such a rare anniversary is also the perfect opportunity to look back at the past. Throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II has traveled the globe, mingled with world leaders and celebrities, and navigated family life in the public eye. 

“I continue to be inspired by the goodwill shown to me, and hope that the coming days will provide an opportunity to reflect on all that has been achieved during the last 70 years, as we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm,” the monarch said, in part, in a recently-released statement. Below, we look back at moments from each year of her reign that show every side of her life on the throne, from her royal tours and official engagements to private time spent at her castles and palaces.