Queen Elizabeth II turns 90. Here are some rare photos of Britain's longest-reigning monarch

Queen Elizabeth II was born at 2:40AM on 21 April, 1926 at 17 Burton St in Mayfair, London. She was christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary at Buckingham Palace on May 29, 1926.

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip met at a wedding in 1934 and teid the knot on at the Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947.

Charles, Prince of Wales, the eldest child and heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II, was born on 14 November 1948.

In his message to the Queen on her 90th birthday he said, "As we celebrate her 90th birthday, she, like all of us, can reflect on a life that has inspired and encouraged millions of people in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and around the world. In many ways, it's a life that has defined our age."

English and British Monarchs have been crowned at Westminster Abbey since 1066. Elizabeth II's was the first in history to be broadcast, despite Winston Churchill's insistance that such a sacred event not be seen by "gentlemen" who "would listen in pubs and not remove their hats."

During Elizabeth's 80th-birthday celebrations, she held a party for children at the palace and invited 2,000 kids.

She is extremely fond of photography.

Elizabeth learned how to drive in 1945. As a princess, Elizabeth drove a truck and trained as a mechanic in World War II.

Photo selection by Vikas Kumar