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 the final years of her reign. The embodiment of Britain, she was a constant, knowledgeable presence in British politics and culture since she came to the throne in 1952, through seven decades of change.                This book celebrates the life of Queen Elizabeth II through photographs and stills, drawn largely from the archives of the BBC, the UK’s national broadcaster, and an organization that received its royal charter only one year after she was born. From the Queen's earliest days and first moments of public life to her Diamond Jubilee and  the weddings of her children and grandchildren—and a special section of photographs from the ceremonies surrounding her funeral and poignant images celebrating her legacy—this is a wonderful homage to the most public of monarchs, an iconic figure in the hearts and minds of millions throughout the world.