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  The Queen: 50 years ago
The Queen's father George VI became King in 1936 after his brother abdicated
1/13 The Queen's father George VI became King in 1936 after his brother abdicated
Princess Elizabeth celebrates her 18th birthday with her father
2/13 Princess Elizabeth celebrates her 18th birthday with her father
On 6 February 1952, the King died. His daughter now Queen returned from Kenya on hearing the news
3/13 On 6 February 1952, the King died. His daughter now Queen returned from Kenya on hearing the news
The new and very young Queen had been preparing for the moment when she became monarch, but had not expected it so soon
4/13 The new and very young Queen had been preparing for the moment when she became monarch, but had not expected it so soon
The Queen and her mother and grandmother look on as the King's body is brought to lie in state before his funeral
5/13 The Queen and her mother and grandmother look on as the King's body is brought to lie in state before his funeral
The state funeral was televised to the nation by the BBC - the first time any national event was shown on TV
6/13 The state funeral was televised to the nation by the BBC - the first time any national event was shown on TV
George VI's death began the process that would lead to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II more than a year later
7/13 George VI's death began the process that would lead to the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II more than a year later
The coronation was also televised showing the full splendour and tradition of the event
8/13 The coronation was also televised showing the full splendour and tradition of the event
Crowds of wellwishers cheered the new monarch as she left Westminster Abbey to go to Buckingham Palace
9/13 Crowds of wellwishers cheered the new monarch as she left Westminster Abbey to go to Buckingham Palace
Queen Elizabeth II - the official portrait
10/13 Queen Elizabeth II - the official portrait
Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the ceremony
11/13 Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the ceremony
The Queen and Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet some of the foreign dignitaries who visited Britain for the coronation
12/13 The Queen and Prime Minister Winston Churchill meet some of the foreign dignitaries who visited Britain for the coronation
Two years in British history concluded with the newly crowned Queen's first formal Christmas message
13/13 Two years in British history concluded with the newly crowned Queen's first formal Christmas message

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