Prince Philip and the Queen: A match made of love and duty

The news of their engagement was announced officially on July 9, 1947. Elizabeth and Philip stood the pose on the day of their engagment announcement.

The love story between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip is, well, a unique one. Elizabeth and Philip are third cousins through Queen Victoria of Britain, who ruled from 1837 to 1901; she was their great-great-grandmother.

The photo of the young couple was taken in Buckingham Palace before their marriage. 

Elizabeth and Philip tied the knot on November 20, 1947, at Westminster Abbey. The marriage was a major national celebration.

The first few years of Elizabeth and Philip's marriage were low-key

The couple met in 1939 when King George VI visited his naval college. They exchanged letters during World War II and he proposed in 1946. She described him as her "strength and stay".

Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten clicked having a rare dance at a ball organized by the Royal Navy in 1950.

The couple first child Prince Charles was born almost exactly a year later, on Nov. 14, 1948. The picture shows Philip standing behind Elizabeth, who cradles Prince Charles along with her father and mother on her side. 

Following the death of her father, King George VI, Elizabeth has crowned Queen Elizabeth II. On her coronation day, Prince Philip kneeled before the ruling monarch.

Soon after their first child Elizabeth and Philip welcomed her second child Princess Anne.

Ten years after Princess Anne was born, Elizabeth and Philip welcomed their third son Andrew Albert Christian Edward, Duke of York on February 19, 1960. and four years later their youngest son, Prince Edward was born on March, 10.

The couple celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in 2020. In the photograph, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness can be seen looking at an anniversary card made by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, alongside other cards and letters sent by well-wishers.