King George VI, left, is joined by his wife, Elizabeth, and Princess Margaret as he leaves an airport in London on January 31, 1952. They had waved farewell to Princess Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, who were heading on a royal tour.
Fox Photos/Getty Images
During her royal tour, Princess Elizabeth attends a polo match in Nyeri, Kenya, on February 3, 1952.
Chris Ware/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip wave to Kenyans from the balcony of Nairobi's City Hall on February 4, 1952.
Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Londoners read the news of King George's death on February 6, 1952. He was 56 years old when he died in his sleep from a coronary thrombosis.
Bettmann/Getty Images
The flag flies at half-staff at Windsor Castle following the King's death.
Mirrorpix/Getty Images
Prime Minister Winston Churchill leaves St. James's Palace after attending a meeting of the Accession Council, which is automatically summoned on the death of the sovereign.
PA Images/Getty Images
Elizabeth, now the new Queen, returns from Kenya on February 7, 1952.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Elizabeth and Philip are greeted on their arrival in London.
AP
Gerald Wollaston, the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, reads the proclamation of the Queen's accession on February 8, 1952.
PA Images/Getty Images
A ceremony for the proclamation is held on February 8, 1952.
AFP/Getty Images
The Queen and her family arrives for her father's funeral procession on February 15, 1952.
PA Images/Getty Images
King George's coffin is guarded at Westminster Hall in London.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Crowds line the route of the King's funeral procession.
Hulton Deutsch/Corbis/Getty Images
Foreign heads of state and their representatives march in the King's funeral procession.
Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
The funeral procession of King George makes its way through London.
Stroud/Hulton Royals Collection/Getty Images
