Home > A closer look > The Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II in Photographs
The Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II in Photographs
A closer look 09 Sep 2022

The Legacy of Queen Elizabeth II in Photographs

On September 8th, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II of England died at her Scottish estate, Balmoral. She ruled for more than 70 years, longer than any former British monarch. Her life and rule can be defined by many key moments, all of which were captured by iconic photographs. Join Artsper in discovering the monarch’s life and legacy in art.

Cecil Beaton, Queen Elizabeth II, 2020, photo taken at Buckingham Palace, England in 1968
Cecil Beaton, Queen Elizabeth II, 2020, photo taken at Buckingham Palace, England in 1968, available on Artsper

A young Princess

When she was born, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was never expected to be queen. Her father, King George VI, was given that title only after his older brother Edward VIII abdicated from his rightful place on the throne to be with Wallis Simpson, an American. Thus, Elizabeth became the heir to the throne. The Princess was quickly placed into the public eye, being photographed by great fashion photographers such as Cecil Beaton.

photo features Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, in a Norman Hartnell gown at Buckingham Palace in 1945
Cecil Beaton, HRH Princess Elizabeth, 2020, photo features Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, in a Norman Hartnell gown at Buckingham Palace in 1945 © Victoria and Albert Museum, available on Artsper

The longest reigning monarch

After her father’s death in 1952, Elizabeth was coronated in 1953. Her Royal Highness became the longest-reigning monarch in British history after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee in June of 2022. Cecil Beaton captured a poignant black and white shot of the young queen on her coronation.

Queen Elizabeth II On Her Coronation Day
Cecil Beaton, Queen Elizabeth II On Her Coronation Day, 2020, photo taken on June 2nd, 1953, available on Artsper

Tumultuous politics

Shown here riding on horseback with President Ronald Reagan in 1982, Queen Elizabeth II experienced a myriad of political and personal turbulence throughout her reign. During her 70 ruling years, the Queen saw the end of the Vietnam war, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 9/11 attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic — to name a few key events. Through stunning compositions, photographers such as Ian Bradshaw captured historical happenings and all quiet moments in between. On this day, the Queen rode for eight miles around Windsor Castle with Reagan on his first official visit as US President.

Reagan and the queen
Ian Bradshaw, Reagan and the queen, 1982, available on Artsper

Buckingham Palace

Pictured below at Buckingham Palace, the late Queen’s life was largely spent in her varied estates. It’s difficult to discuss artworks and photographs of Elizabeth II without too speaking of her surroundings. Many of today’s famous portraits of the royal family are still taken at Windsor, Buckingham Palace and other estates. Such photographic portraits give viewers more intimate insight into the minds of the family.

Cecil Beaton, Queen Elizabeth II At Buckingham Palace, 2020, photo featuring Queen Elizabeth II standing on an exterior balcony at Buckingham Palace in 1968 
Cecil Beaton, Queen Elizabeth II At Buckingham Palace, 2020, photo featuring Queen Elizabeth II standing on an exterior balcony at Buckingham Palace in 1968, available on Artsper 

Family first

Queen Elizabeth II was the matriarch of the British royal family for 70 years. One of her most lasting impacts is her heirs. Her reign will be followed by that of her son Charles, pictured below as a young child in 1950. Cecil Beaton again allows viewers to glance into the private lives of the late Queen and the future King. Documentary-style portrait photography is a tradition that the royal family is long accustomed to, and it’s one that will surely be continued by the next monarchs.

Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles in Clarence House, London in 1950
Cecil Beaton, HRH Princess Elizabeth With HRH The Prince of Wales, 2020, photo depicting Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles in Clarence House, London in 1950 © Victoria and Albert Museum, available on Artsper