I have watched her grow from a shy young girl into a beautiful woman ... a long way since I photographed the young royal when Queen Elizabeth visited her Windsor primary school.

But like many Brits of my generation (I was born the year before the coronation) my life has been bookended by the reign of Queen Elizabeth II ... a svelte young woman with raven-black hair ...

Princess Beatrice's new baby Athena Elizabeth Rose Mapelli Mozzi continues tradition honoring Queen Elizabeth. See all the descendants named after the Queen.

Princess Anne was born to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1950, and she's kept royal watchers enamored for more than 70 years. Anne married British army Captain Mark Phillips in 1973.

Queen Elizabeth II was just 25 when she acceded ... of the Queen on her accession to the throne in February 1952. (Getty Images) Highlights from the Queen’s coronation in Westminster Abbey ...

In honor of Queen Elizabeth II and her illustrious seven-decade reign, we take a walk down memory lane and see how a young Elizabeth made her mark from the start.