Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II photos through the years

Nelson Mandela accompanies Queen Elizabeth in a carriage ride to a Buckingham Palace lunch on the first day of his state visit to Britain, July 9, 1996. REUTERS/Simon Kreitem

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Recognised as the longest-serving monarch in Britain’s history, Queen Elizabeth II occupied the British throne for seven decades.

Taking the throne at the age of 27, below is a collection of photos of her life through the years of her reign.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on Thursday afternoon and the news of her death was announced through a statement from Buckingham Palace around 19h30 CAT. She was 96 years old.

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Images from REUTERS