Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman

From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.

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Queen Elizabeth
(Image credit: Getty Images/Hulton Deutsch)

Before Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton were the resident fashion icons of the royal family, Her Majesty had already built an archive of iconic looks. From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young lady, here are beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young princess. She passed away on September 8, 2022, ending her 70-year historic rule as Great Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

Ahead, a glimpse at what her life was like before taking the throne. 

1936
Crown Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain, later Queen Elizabeth II, with her pony, at age 10.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

1936

Here's a ten-year-old Crown Princess Elizabeth of Great Britain, later Queen Elizabeth II, bonding with her pony. 

The Queen was known to be an avid horse-rider since she was a young girl. She went on to later own and breed racehorses. She worked alongside horses her entire life and continued to ride into her 90s.

On June 23, 2022, The Sun released photos of Her Majesty on a gentle horseback ride in Windsor, months after she was told to quit.    

1936
(Image credit: Getty Images)

1936

When she was not tending to her beloved horses, Elizabeth lived up to her various princess duties including stately functions and portraits.  

Here is a formal photo of her at the age of ten. 

1939
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1939

Princess Elizabeth also took swimming lessons as a child. Here she is photographed as the winner with 35 points in a children's swimming competition in London.

1940
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1940

Princess Elizabeth with her horse at the Royal Lodge, Windsor. This photo was taken in April 1940.

1940
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1940

Riding and reading were among her pastimes as a girl. This photo of the future Queen was taken at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, on June 22, 1940. 

1941
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1941

Elizabeth enjoyed posing with these flowers as a young girl. Here, she smiles amongst her favorite syringa bush in the grounds of Windsor Castle, Berkshire. This was taken July 8, 1941, when she was 15.  

1942
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1942

Princess Elizabeth at age 16.

1944
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1944

An intimate portrait of Queen Elizabeth in 1944. 

1944
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1944

Princess Elizabeth in costume for her role in the play "Old Mother Riding Boots." She wore a long-sleeved pink satin and lace dress to play Lady Christina Sherwood for the production during the Second World War when she was 18, reported The Standard. 

1945
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1945

Elizabeth started wearing headscarves around the age of 19. On a June day, the Toronto Star photographed Princess Elizabeth (left) and Princess Margaret Rose arriving at Windsor to attend the tree planting ceremonies commemorating the work done by the British Agriculture for the Red Cross. 

1946
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1946

Elizabeth and her sister Margaret at their debutante.

This lovely portrait of Princess Elizabeth (left) and her sister Princess Margaret (who passed away in 2002), was taken December 11, 1946. 

1946
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1946

At age 20, Elizabeth served as a dutiful bridesmaid.

From left to right, the other bridesmaids: Pamela Mountbatten, Princess Alexandra of Kent, her sister Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth. 

They are photographed standing outside Romsey Abbey, Hampshire in their bridesmaids' dresses after attending the wedding of Captain Lord Brabourne and Patricia Mountbatten, also known as the 2nd Countess Mountbatten of Burma. 

1946
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1946

A naturally lit portrait of Elizabeth standing by a flower arrangement in Buckingham Palace on July 19, 1946.

1947
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1947

At 21, Elizabeth was a happily engaged woman. Here is a photo of her beaming in the state apartments at Buckingham Palace during her engagement to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

They were married on November 20, 1947. 

1950
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1950

Here a 24-year-old Elizabeth square dancing with the Duke of Edinburgh at something called a "cowboy dress party." This was taken during the couple's royal tour of Canada. 

The Telegraph would later title Elizabeth as "The Million Mile Queen." After visiting more than 117 countries and covering more than 1,032,513 miles, she is the most travelled monarch in history. 

At the time of Prince Philip's death in April 9, 2021, he and Queen Elizabeth were married for 73 years. 

Mehera Bonner
Entertainment Editor

Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.