Today Britain recognises the first anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral Castle, on September 8 2022.
She had reigned for 70 years, after becoming queen in 1952, when she was just 25 years old.
Upon her death, her son Charles took to the throne at 73 years old to become King Charles III.
As the nation mourns our monarch and reflects on her life and reign, find out some of the most fascinating facts and figures about the late queen below.
30 corgis
Seventy photos for 70 years of HM Queen Elizabeth II record-breaking reign
12 great-grandchildren
The Queen was a great-grandmother to 12 great-grandchildren: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Archie, Princess Lilibet, Mia, Lena, Lucas, Savannah, Isla, Sienna, and August.
31% of the UK has met the Queen
Nearly a third of the UK’s population has said they have either met the Queen or have seen her in real life, according to YouGov. Additionally, 22 per cent of people had seen Prince Philip, and 17 22 per cent had seen Princess Anne.
90% of people only know the Queen as their monarch
Nine out of 10 people across the world have never known the UK to have a monarch other than Queen Elizabeth II. She took to the throne in 1952, meaning she was queen for 70 years.
Head of 54 Commonwealth countries
HM Queen Elizabeth II – Royal Tours
750 Christmas cards
The Queen was thought to have sent around 750 Christmas cards to people all over the world every year.
20 million people watched her coronation
When the Queen was crowned on June 2, 1953, more than 20 million people tuned in to watch her coronation.
200 portraits
The Queen is thought to have sat for more than 200 official portraits throughout her reign. Her first official portrait was commissioned when she was just seven years old.
HM Queen Elizabeth II – In pictures
Seven inches of water
According to Angela Kelly, the Queen’s former personal assistant, the Queen bathed in exactly seven inches of water every morning. The bath also had to be “exactly the right temperature: tested with a wooden-cased thermometer.”
