26 of Queen Elizabeth II's Loveliest Childhood Photos
Queen Elizabeth II is the most photographed woman in the world, and she got used to having her picture taken at an early age. From the moment she was born in 1926, she starred in some of the most famous British royal images, and a look at her childhood photo album shows she was every bit as cute as the royal babies who now call her Gan-Gan today.
In fact, George, Charlotte, and Louis all bear a passing resemblance to Elizabeth II, who was every inch the superconfident young royal. And the princess who grew up to be queen had plenty of moments of childhood cheekiness, too. Here's a look at some of the queen's loveliest childhood photos.
The Queen's First Public Appearance
Newborn Princess Elizabeth Alexandra Mary was photographed in her pram soon after her birth in 1926.
The Queen's First Throne
Elizabeth appeared in her high chair as a cute and chubby toddler in 1927.
A First Royal Wave
The future queen, age 2, already had the royal wave down to a fine art in 1928.
Elizabeth, the Angelic Princess
An official portrait of the queen was taken in July 1928, soon after her second birthday.
Elizabeth as a Big Sister
The queen was a protective big sister to Princess Margaret Rose, putting a guiding hand on her pram during a walk in London in the early 1930s.
The Dutiful Princess
The young Princess Elizabeth was the picture of poise as she headed out on an early engagement around 1932.
The Queen and Her Gan-Gan
Young Elizabeth adored her grandparents King George V and Queen Mary, and they loved looking after her as on this trip to Scotland around 1933.
The Chatterbox Princess
Elizabeth loved talking as a youngster and kept chatting to her mom and sister as they arrived at an engagement in London in 1934.
The Smiling Princess
Sisters Elizabeth and Margaret were just so happy in each other's company in this cute photo from 1935.
The Queen's Love of Horses
We know just how passionate the queen is about her horses, and the young Elizabeth's love for animals can be seen in this gorgeous photo from the early 1930s.
The Royal Pets
Princess Elizabeth was surrounded by pets from an early age and took one of the family's dogs for a walk in the late 1930s.
Devoted to Her Dogs
Elizabeth's love of dogs is world famous, and she was snapped at age 10, in 1936, cuddling one of her early favorites.
Princess at Play
Princess Elizabeth was up to mischief at the Silver Jubilee service for her grandfather King George V in 1935.
The Last Carefree Summer
Elizabeth posed with her mom and sister Margaret in the Summer of 1936, just months before the abdication of Edward VIII turned the young princess into heir to the throne.
Nanny Knows Best
Elizabeth took the steering wheel in a toy car under the watchful eye of her beloved governess, Marion Crawford, in the mid-1930s.
A Taste of the Future
Princess Elizabeth, in her golden coronet, sat with her granny Queen Mary during the coronation of her parents as King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in 1937.
The Queen on the Palace Balcony
Princess Elizabeth, future queen, greeted the crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after her father's coronation as George VI in 1937.
Princess at the Zoo
Elizabeth got up close with some penguins on a visit to London Zoo in the late 1930s.
Queen in Waiting
Being first in line to the throne didn't stop the young queen from giggling her way through engagements, as seen here in Scotland in 1937.
The Royal Train
Even princesses get a bit bored, as Elizabeth, with sister Margaret, showed while taking the royal train in 1939.
Learning the Royal Ropes
A teenager, Elizabeth is seen here on an royal engagement with her granny Queen Mary and sister Margaret in 1939.
Sisterly Love
This gorgeous photo of Elizabeth and Margaret was taken to mark the future queen's 14th birthday in 1940.
The Wartime Princess
Elizabeth read to Margaret at Windsor Castle in 1940, soon after the Second World War had started.
Queen of Flowers
A pretty portrait of Elizabeth, age 15, was taken in 1941.
The Perfect Princesses
Elizabeth and Margaret enjoyed a day outdoors in the Summer of 1941.
The Grown-Up Princess
Elizabeth posed for official photos in 1944, the year she turned 18 and left her royal childhood behind her.