Queen Elizabeth turns 96

Gun salutes, a Barbie doll dressed in an ivory gown with a blue sash, and a new photo of the monarch at Windsor Castle all mark the queen's 96th birthday. She planned to spend the day privately at Wood Farm cottage on Sandringham estate, in eastern England. It is a personal sanctuary for the queen, who has stepped back from most public duties this year over concerns about her health.

The English monarch's outfits are legendary. A coat with a weighted hem — to prevent wind-related wardrobe malfunctions — topped off with a perfectly matched hat. Her go-to accessory is often her signature black bag, that is roomy enough for lipstick, reading glasses, mints and a handkerchief.

She wears them in all shapes and colors, sometimes playful with small flowers, sometimes austere or simple, but always exactly matched to her outfit. The queen is rarely seen without headgear. How many hat boxes she has in her closet is perhaps one of the world's best-kept secrets.

Not afraid to get her hands dirty: During World War II, Elizabeth Windsor was part of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's division of the British Army. There she was trained as a mechanic and learned to drive a truck. This picture was taken in April 1945. Note the headgear.

In 1947, Elizabeth married her childhood sweetheart, Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark. Due to post-WWII austerity measures, she had to use clothing ration coupons to procure the materials for her wedding gown: satin, 10,000 pearls and crystals and a four-meter-long train of lace. Their marriage lasted 73 years until Prince Philip's death in 2021.

On February 6, 1952, Princess Elizabeth ascended the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II. At the coronation ceremony the following year, she wore a dress of white silk, colorfully embroidered with the emblems of some of the Commonwealth states. Attached to this was her Robe of State, consisting of an ermine cape with an almost 5-meter crimson velvet train carried by six maids of honor.

So was the queen's visit in May 1965 to West Germany dubbed. No foreign state guest was more welcome at that time than the queen. The last state visit from the UK had taken place 56 years prior. Germans had inflicted great suffering on the British in two wars. For 11 days, Elizabeth II traveled through Germany and delighted the Germans with her sartorial choices.

Mirroring the colors of the football pitch, the queen is seen here shaking hands with members of the German national team before the 1996 European Championship final at Wembley Stadium. She and Prince Philip (pictured right) were among the 76,000 spectators who witnessed Germany defeat the Czech Republic with a golden goal during extra time.

When the queen addresses the British Parliament at the start of a new term, tradition dictates she wear her official clothes. She delivers her speech from the throne in full regalia, outlining the new government's plans. Her late husband Prince Philip, who died in 2021, sat alongside her.

In 2021 Queen Elizabeth delivered her first Christmas address as a widow. Prince Philip had died in April, just before his 100th birthday and her 95th. She expressed understanding about how difficult Christmas can be when one loses a loved one. Still, Christmas will bring joy this year, she said, "as we have the chance to reminisce."

On February 6, 2022, the queen marked a record 70 years on the throne. Celebrations are scheduled throughout the year, with the highlights on June 2-5. Events include hundreds of beacons lit throughout the UK and UK Overseas Territories, a special live concert from Buckingham Palace and a derby at Epsom Downs.