Queen Elizabeth's 83rd Birthday

Happy Birthday, Queen Elizabeth II!

21st April (2009) marks the monarch's 83rd year, though the occasion is celebrated twice a year in England: once privately, on her actual birthday, and again with an official national celebration in June.

Today we offer a look back at some of her most glorious gowns, as well as a few of her more casual moments, and what she wore to meet U.S. presidents, beginning with Truman.

Painting of a 7-year-old Princess Elizabeth, now Queen Elizabeth II, in 1933 by Philip Alexius de Laszlo.

Princess Elizabeth and Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten, now Prince Philip, at London's Buckingham Palace after their wedding ceremony on Nov. 20, 1947.

Princess Elizabeth in 1949.


Princess Elizabeth with President Truman in 1951.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 2, 1953 after Elizabeth is crowned Queen at Westminter Abbey in London.

The Queen, far right, receives a kiss on the hand from Prime Minister Winston Churchill as she leaves 10 Downing Street on April 1, 1955.

At the State Opening of Parliament in London, April 1966.

Queen Elizabeth II shakes hands with French singer Mireille Mathieu in London, 1969.

WIth Britain's former Prime Minister Edward Heath, President Richard M.Nixon and his wife Pat in 1970.

Shaking hands with Barbara Streisand at the 1975 Royal Film performance in London.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip pose with President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford on their way to dinner aboard the yacht Britannia in 1976.

Looking through her diary of engagements at her desk in Windsor Castle in May 1977.

Meeting former President Reagan and wife Nancy for lunch at Buckingham Palace in 1989.

With President Clinton in 1994.

With the Clintons in 1995.

WIth the Bushes in 2003.

with President Obama and the First Lady.

Driving her Land Rover in 2005.

Meeting the Obamas on April 1st.

Long Live the Queen!!

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