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In pictures: Queen Elizabeth II through the decades

On Wednesday 9 September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-reigning monarch in British history. To mark this momentous anniversary, we look back at the Queen's life and reign through the decades...

Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip take part in a dance held in their honour in Ottawa, during their Canadian tour, on 17 October 1951. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

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The former Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, for whom Edward gave up the throne in 1936, sparking a crisis that rocked the British monarchy. The couple are pictured here in 1939. (Photo by Keystone-France\Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
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