On 4th June 2016, the nation will be celebrating the Queen’s birthday with the annual Trooping the Colour parade. This year will be a particularly special occasion as it is the Queen’s 90th – she is the longest lived British sovereign in history.
Commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s extraordinary life with footage from the Bridgeman archive:
The Royal family with Churchill on VE Day in 1945:
Churchill at Buckingham Palace with the Royal Family, VE Day, 8th May 1945 / Bridgeman Footage
Supporters, including Women from the Canadian Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, cheer on the Royal Family as they stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Winston Churchill in London, 1945.
A young Elizabeth visits Paris in 1949 and gives a speech in French:
Princess Elizabeth visits Paris in 1949 and gives a speech in French. / Bridgeman Footage
This four-day visit of Princess Elizabeth and her consort, the Duke of Edinburgh, was Paris’s happiest social event since the liberation. Thousands cheer the royal couple, as the princess makes her gracious speech in French.
Queen Elizabeth launches the British Admiral oil tanker in 1965:
Queen Elizabeth II launches the British Admiral oil tanker, 1965. Subclip 13 0 / Buff Film & Video Library / Bridgeman Footage
The 100,000 tonne tanker, named the ‘British Admiral’, as seen on its launch day in England. Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the christening platform, pulls a lever and launches the new tanker, whilst a large crowd wait and cheer.
This clip is from Bridgeman’s rich and exclusive Buff Film collection, which holds historical documentary and newsreel footage from throughout the 20th century.
Elizabeth and Philip visiting Sweden in the Spring of 1983:
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visiting Sweden, 25th – 28th May 1983 / Film Images / Bridgeman Footage
A clip from a promotional film with American VO about Sweden. It features scenes of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s state visit to Sweden in May 1983, including a scenic boat trip and royal parade.
The Queen’s ‘Trooping of the Colour’ ceremony in 2012:
Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace / © Peter Phipp/Travelshots / Bridgeman Footage
Take a preview of this year’s ceremony with a look at the Queen’s birthday parade 4 years ago.