Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history, has died at the age of 96.
During her 70-year reign, the Queen worked with 15 prime ministers (16 if you count Liz Truss, who took office earlier this week) and met 13 of the past 14 American presidents.
She had presided over some of the most momentous changes in her country’s history, including the end of the British empire, a number of royal scandals, several wars, joining the European Union and then leaving it after the Brexit referendum.
Her 70-year reign was the second-longest in the world after King Louis XIV, who took the French throne in 1643 at age 5 and ruled for 72 years.
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H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth’, circa 1929. (The Print Collector/Getty Images)
H.R.H. Princess Elizabeth’, circa 1929. (The Print Collector/Getty Images)
Future King George VI together with Elizabeth (duchess of York), Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth.(Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Future King George VI together with Elizabeth (duchess of York), Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth.(Photo by: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the coronation of King George VI. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
The royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after the coronation of King George VI. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth walking a Corgi in London’s Hyde Park, 1940. (Photo by Hulton-Deutsch/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth walking a Corgi in London’s Hyde Park, 1940. (Photo by Hulton-Deutsch/Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis via Getty Images)
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret making a broadcast to the children of the Empire during World War II. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret making a broadcast to the children of the Empire during World War II. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth trains as an ATS mechanic, 1945. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth trains as an ATS mechanic, 1945. (Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth as Junior Commander in the ATS inspecting The Motor Transport Training Centre at Camberley, Surrey. (Photo by NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth as Junior Commander in the ATS inspecting The Motor Transport Training Centre at Camberley, Surrey. (Photo by NCJ Archive/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh wave to crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their marriage (Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh wave to crowds from the balcony of Buckingham Palace following their marriage (Popperfoto/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with their two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne in the grounds of Clarence House, London. (Fox Photos/Getty Images)
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with their two children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne in the grounds of Clarence House, London. (Fox Photos/Getty Images)
The coronation of Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953 at Westminster Abbey, London. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The coronation of Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953 at Westminster Abbey, London. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Queen wearing St. Edward’s Crown and holding the Royal Sceptre and the Rod of Equity, waits to receive the homage of her peers after her Coronation. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Queen wearing St. Edward’s Crown and holding the Royal Sceptre and the Rod of Equity, waits to receive the homage of her peers after her Coronation. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. (Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. (Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II poses for a portrait at home in Buckingham Palace in December 1958 in London, England. (Donald McKague/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II poses for a portrait at home in Buckingham Palace in December 1958 in London, England. (Donald McKague/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II with Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth, including Sir Winston Churchill, 1952. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II with Prime Ministers of the Commonwealth, including Sir Winston Churchill, 1952. (Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)
The Prince and Princess of Wales pose on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, July 29th, 1981. (Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
The Prince and Princess of Wales pose on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on their wedding day, July 29th, 1981. (Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
The Queen with Prince William And Prince Harry in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club, Windsor. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
The Queen with Prince William And Prince Harry in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club, Windsor. (Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Buckingham Palace in London to attend the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. (Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Buckingham Palace in London to attend the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. (Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II looks on during the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II looks on during the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 in Windsor, England. (Jonathan Brady/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St John’s College Cambridge on April 27, 2011, to attend a lunch and reception to mark the 500th Anniversary of the College. (Andrew Yates/AFT/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II arrives at St John’s College Cambridge on April 27, 2011, to attend a lunch and reception to mark the 500th Anniversary of the College. (Andrew Yates/AFT/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II is photographed at Sandringham House to commemorate Accession Day, marking the start of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Year, on February 2, 2022. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II is photographed at Sandringham House to commemorate Accession Day, marking the start of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Year, on February 2, 2022. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
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