With the nearly 75 years of love and friendship they had, it goes without saying that the late Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip might have had one of the longest-running marriages ever. After meeting in 1939 for the first time (when Princess Elizabeth was a teenager), the couple tied the knot less than 10 years later, and we have to wonder if they knew then what the future would hold for them. Not long afterward, Elizabeth would become queen and Philip would forever be named as the Duke of Edinburgh, starting the adventure of a lifetime.
Through the years, Elizabeth and Philip faced so many historic events worldwide, traveled to different countries, and welcomed four children: Prince Charles (the future king, of course), Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward. And as their children got married and had their own children, they got to see their family grow and the UK change. It's a different country than it was when they were young.
Sadly, Philip died at the age of 99 in April 2021, and 96-year-old Elizabeth followed just over a year later, on September 8, 2022. According to Buckingham Palace, she died peacefully at her Balmoral estate in Scotland, with family by her side.
As the world mourns the loss of the beloved monarch, we're looking back at her beautiful relationship with Philip and all the sweet moments they shared as a couple throughout their seven decades together.
The Earliest Years
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip first crossed paths in 1939, and this photo is one of the earliest that includes both of them. Elizabeth is that little girl (around age 13) standing third from left, and Philip is second from the right — he was 18 at the time. A pretty big age difference for teenagers, but they didn't let it stand in their way when they got older.
An Engaged Couple
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Elizabeth and Philip got engaged in 1947 — at the time, Elizabeth was 21, and Philip was 26, making that age gap seem a bit more acceptable. Here they are, together in Canada, before Elizabeth eventually would assume the throne and become queen after her father's death. They look so happy!
A Royal Wedding
Philip and Elizabeth (who was Princess Elizabeth at the time) tied the knot on November 20, 1947, and paused to wave to the crowd from the balcony at Buckingham Palace following their ceremony at Westminster Abbey, as per royal tradition. What a beautiful couple.
The Newlyweds
Here, the happily married couple is posing together about a week after their wedding, looking thrilled to be together. Can we talk about the way they're looking at each other? People should have known then that this marriage was built to withstand anything over the years.
Royal Obligations
Not long after their wedding, Prince Philip and Elizabeth were fulfilling royal engagements together — starting a lifetime of attending these kinds of events as a couple. This photo was taken at the Royal Academy in London in February 1948. They're so young!
New Parents
Almost a year after getting married, Elizabeth and Philip took another big step in their lives together: They became parents. Prince Charles was born on November 14, 1948, and this official portrait shows the future queen cradling her newborn as her parents (and proud dad Philip) look on.
Happy Together
In 1950, Elizabeth and Philip were photographed on a royal tour, and they were both all smiles. They famously visited Australia — a trip that Charles and Princess Diana would later repeat themselves.
A Family of Four
Less than two years after Charles made his grand entrance, he became a big brother. Princess Anne (now known as the Princess Royal) was born on August 15, 1950, and this photo was taken sometime in the next couple of years of all four of them together. So sweet!
Coronation Day
After Elizabeth's father, King George VI, unexpectedly died in February 1952, she went from princess to queen. She assumed the throne and held her coronation in June 1953. Here, she and Philip stand on the balcony at Buckingham Palace to wave to those who came to see her on the big day.
A Night at the Theater
Until her Princess Margaret's death, Elizabeth and her younger sister Margaret were always very close, so it makes sense that along with Philip, they made quite a trio as they went out to see a holiday-themed show at the theater in December 1955.
Relaxing in Scotland
By 1960, Elizabeth and Philip had welcomed their third child, Prince Andrew. Here, the family is kicking back on a blanket (along with one of their dogs — Elizabeth was a well-known dog lover) outside of their Scottish castle, Balmoral, where they spent many of their vacations.
Greeting the Crowds
By the mid-1960s, Elizabeth had the whole queen thing down — look how regal she is waving to the crowd with Philip by her side. It couldn't have been easy to become queen so early in her life, but Elizabeth embraced the role with grace (and we're sure Philip had a little something to do with that).
Hanging Out
It's not often that we ever got to see Elizabeth and Philip dressed down like this, but here they are, taking a walk in 1970. Even though they were raising four children, it's good to see they got time to spend together on their own.
Keeping It Casual
Looking at this photo, we might not realize we're looking at the Queen and her consort if we didn't already know who they were. Back at Balmoral again in 1975, Elizabeth and Philip were relaxing on the couch with their dog and the newspaper — like any other couple might do.
On Safari
Being part of the royal family sure does come with a lot of cool perks — such as going on a safari and calling it a work trip. In 1979, Elizabeth and Philip headed out to Zambia to see the sights — and lots of animals.
Charles & Diana's Wedding
When Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer got married in 1981, it goes without saying that it was a massive event — then again, aren't all royal weddings? Standing on the balcony at the palace, Philip and Elizabeth look pleased at their firstborn's wedding.
Trooping the Colour
Trooping the Colour was the annual celebration of Elizabeth's official birthday, so of course she and Philip were always front and center on the balcony at Buckingham Palace (along with their family). This was 1985's event.
On a Royal Tour
In 1990, Elizabeth and Philip were busy fulfilling royal engagements (and likely enjoying their grandchildren, William and Harry). Here, they can be seen at an event during a visit to Iceland, where they both look happy and perfectly regal together.
Looking Royal
In May 1994, Elizabeth donned her tiara for an event commemorating D-Day, and Philip was by her side that evening (as was former US President Bill Clinton). It looks like it was quite a night!
Remembering Diana
One of the biggest moments in royal history was Diana's untimely death in 1997, even though she and Charles were already divorced at that point. It must have been difficult for Elizabeth to cope with her grandchildren losing their mother, but Philip was by her side through it all.
The Golden Anniversary
At the end of 1997 — which was obviously a difficult year for the royal family — there was finally a cause to celebrate. Elizabeth and Philip marked their golden anniversary that November, celebrating 50 years spent together.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot — a horse racing event — is something the royal family attends every year, and in 2003, Elizabeth and Philip made their entrance at the event together, as usual.
Happy Birthday
Elizabeth and Philip got to celebrate so many birthdays together, and here's one that was a bit of a milestone. In 2006, they attended a party for her 80th — and they'd still have so many more birthdays to celebrate together.
Up & Away
All of the travel definitely has to be a perk for this couple! In 2011, Elizabeth and Philip headed to the land down under for a royal tour of Australia, looking perfectly content to wave to onlookers from their plane when they visited for nine days in October that year.
Taking in Some Polo
Aside from horse racing, polo is another royal pastime — both watching and playing the sport. In 2018, Elizabeth and Philip enjoyed a polo match, sitting side by side and looking like they were having a lot of fun.
Meeting Archie
Philip was no doubt so lucky to know so many of his great-grandchildren, and Archie was the last to be born in his lifetime. Here, he and Elizabeth are meeting the new addition to the family in May 2019. Such a sweet photo!
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Celebrating Beatrice
One of the final times we'd see Philip and Elizabeth out in public together would be Princess Beatrice's wedding to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi in the summer of 2020. They had a small affair on the grounds of Windsor Palace so Beatrice's elderly grandparents would be able to attend.
Another Anniversary
In November 2020, Elizabeth and Philip celebrated 73 years of marriage — an anniversary that would, unfortunately, end up being the last one they'd spend together. Still, it looks like they truly enjoyed the quality time.
Saying Goodbye
In April 2021, Elizabeth announced that Philip had died at the age of 99.
"It is with deep sorrow that Her Majesty the Queen has announced the death of her beloved husband, His Royal Highness the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh," read the official statement from the palace. "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle. The royal family join with people around the world in mourning his loss."
Their Love Will Live On
Elizabeth and Philip certainly came a long way from their first meeting in 1939. Over the years, they reigned over the Commonwealth, and welcomed four children (and even more grandchildren and great-grandchildren). What a full life they enjoyed together!
