On November 20, 1947, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip said their I do’s at Westminster Abbey, kicking off the longest-standing royal marriage in British royal family history. We’re in awe of the love story that has spanned nearly three-quarters of a century (not to mention riots, financial crashes, diplomatic disasters, and 11 US presidents). Ascending to the throne just five years after marrying Philip, the Queen’s rule was bolstered all these years by the support of her husband. Four children, eight grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren later, we’re looking back at the photographic moments that shaped the love story of our favorite monarch.
It all began when Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was just 13 years old (though already aware that she was in line for the throne, with her father King George VI having taken over in 1936 after his brother Edward abdicated). The monarch, already unusually collected for her age, recalls the moment she first saw him in a letter from that time.
“The first time I remember meeting Philip was at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in July 1934, just before the war. I was 13 years of age and he was 18, and a cadet.”
And the rest, as they say, is history — one we’ve all followed very closely.
The Queen, who passed away on Sept. 8, 2022, at the age of 96, served as the longest reigning monarch in British history, making Prince Philip the longest-reigning consort in history, a role we have every reason to believe he fulfilled exceptionally before his death in April 2021. Kate Middleton, who will one day be queen consort to King William V, has been praised for taking cues from Philip’s quiet support and gentle presence around the Queen, with many believing he represented the ideal monarch’s companion.
There’s one point the history can never get quite across, though, and that’s how immeasurably sweet these two were together too, sharing flirty glances, laughter, and quiet moments out of the spotlight.
For what would’ve been Philip’s 102nd birthday, read on for a look back at all the royal couple’s best moments in photos.
A version of this article was originally published in May 2017.
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Late 1920s
Image Credit: Print Collector/Getty Images Elizabeth first met Charles at a wedding in 1934 — she was 8 years old; he was 13. It wasn’t until five years later that they reportedly fell in love.
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1947
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection This was their official engagement photo, and Elizabeth was glowing.
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1947
Image Credit: Central Press/Getty Images, The young couple looked gorgeous on their wedding day, Nov. 20, 1947.
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1947
Image Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images. The young couple looked gorgeous on their wedding day, Nov. 20, 1947.
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1949
Image Credit: INTERCONTINENTALE/AFP via Getty Queen Elizabeth II of England and Prince Philip of Edinburgh were so happy with their son Prince Charles.
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October 1951
Image Credit: Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images. One of the events arranged during their Canadian tour in October 1951 was this square dance held in their honor. Look how happy they are!
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1954
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were always camera-ready.
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1957
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection This pair always dressed so dapper.
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1961
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Aww! See their smiles when Prince Philip was presented with a winning polo trophy by Queen Elizabeth II
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September 1972
Image Credit: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh loved their summers at Balmoral. Here’s a photo of them enjoying the sights in September 1972.
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1972
Image Credit: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip looked so at peace at Balmoral, Scotland.
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1975
Image Credit: Frank Barratt/Keystone/Getty Images. The pair were so focused at the 62nd Inter-Parliamentary Conference at Westminster Hall.
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February 1977
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. During a tour in Fiji, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh received a traditional Fijian welcome on board the Royal yacht Britannia on their arrival at Suva.
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1979
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty They were so stylish and happy during an Official Visit To Kuwait.
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July 1979
Image Credit: (Photo by Anwar Hussein/Getty Images). The queen and Philip wave from their plane as they leave Kilimanjaro in Tanzania during a visit to Africa with Prince Andrew.
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1982
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. The queen and duke looked fashionable hanging out on the Solomon Islands.
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June 1982
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. The couple are seen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with a pregnant Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince Charles.
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October 1982
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. The queen and Philip sneak a glance as they attend an official reception in Papua New Guinea.
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October 1982
Image Credit: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images. The queen and Philip sneak a glance as they attend an official reception in Papua New Guinea.
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June 1986
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/ Getty Images Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh arrive at Royal Ascot in an open carriage on June 01, 1986.
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October 1986
Image Credit: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images. The pair visit the Great Wall of China on Oct. 14, 1986.
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1989
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. The two enjoy their conversation while watching the Epsom Derby in Surrey, England.
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1990
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty. During Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s appearances at a banquet during a visit to Iceland, they couldn’t stop smiling.
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June 1991
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. The two chat during the Gulf Parade in June 1991.
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December 1999
Image Credit: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty The Duke of Edinburgh smooches his bride on New Year’s Eve.
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June 2002
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/ Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, looked picturesque at Buckingham Palace following the Trooping the Colour ceremony on June 15, 2002.
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2003
Image Credit: Scott Barbour/Getty Images. They’re still laughing after all these years.
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2005
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images. The pair takes in the action at the Queen’s Cup Polo Final in 2005.
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2008
Image Credit: Anwar Hussein/Getty Images. The queen and the duke are sitting on their thrones at the State Opening of Parliament.
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2010
Image Credit: Antony Jones/UK Press via Getty Images The couple are seen riding in their carriage during a celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s 84th birthday.
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2011
Image Credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images. They arrive at Dublin Castle in Ireland for a state banquet on May 18, 2011.
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2012
Image Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip sure know how to make fancy hats look good.
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June 2014
Image Credit: Samir Hussein/WireImage. In this photo, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive by carriage in the parade ring on the third day of the Royal Ascot horse racing meeting.
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June 2015
Image Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip looked so happy as they waved from the balcony of the city hall on in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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June 2016
Image Credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images This photo features Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, and Queen Elizabeth II at the National Services of Thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral on June 10, 2016.
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April 2017
Image Credit: v In April 2017, the queen and Prince Philip opened a new elephant center and fed Donna the elephant a banana.
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April 2017
Image Credit: Arthur Edwards - WPA Pool/Getty Images Prince Philip smiled down at the queen while attending the Royal Maundy service at Leicester Cathedral on Easter Day in 2017.
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February 2018
Image Credit: UK Press via Getty Images Elizabeth and Philip attend a Sunday Service at St. Peter and St. Paul Church in Norfolk.
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May 2018
Image Credit: POOL/AFP via Getty Images For the wedding of her favorite grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Queen was a vision in lime green tweed, and Philip her dashing escort.
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October 2018
Image Credit: POOL/AFP via Getty Images The pair happily attended Princess Eugenie’s wedding.
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May 2019
Image Credit: Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Images. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh join members of the Order of Merit ahead of a luncheon at Windsor Castle on May 7, 2019, an dkept things proper.
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June 2020
Image Credit: PA Images via Getty Images On this beautiful summer day, the Queen and her consort are on the quadrangle of Windosr Castle before the duke’s birthday.
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