Long before the latest royal baby, and even before the parents of the newest prince were even born, there was the Queen Elizabeth II showing the world how English royalty looked and acted. For those who can’t get enough monarchy action these days, Taschen has put together some of the best photos from the queen’s life in the years before and soon after her crowning in the book Her Majesty. Whether you’ve bought into the royal baby mania or not, these photos are a lavish blast from the British past.
Queen Elizabeth meeting stars including Marilyn Monroe, 1956. Photo courtesy Taschen.
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 1952. Photo courtesy Taschen.
Her majesty driving through Windsor with two of her children in the back of her Daimler, 1957. Photo courtesy Taschen.
Deputizing for her father, then-Princess Elizabeth takes the salute for the first time at Trooping of the Color, 1950. Photo courtesy Taschen.
The future queen chills out with the rest of the Royal Family at the Great Lodge, Windsor Park, 1946. Photo courtesy Taschen.
At Buckingham Palace, 1955. Photo courtesy Taschen.
The Queen arrives in Suva, Fiji from the Royal yacht and is presented a bouquet of flowers by young girl, 1963. Photo courtesy Taschen.
Her famous wave, 1966. Photo courtesy Taschen.