Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary became queen of the United Kingdom on February 6, 1952, and remained queen until her death yesterday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was the longest reigning British monarch and the second-longest reigning monarch in the world, second only to King Louis XIV of France.

Here is a photo tribute to Queen Elizabeth II:

"I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service . . .."

Image Credits: Opening of Canadian Parliament from flickr, Creative Commons license, by Library Archives Canada. All others from Wikimedia, public domain.