Princess Elizabeth was born on 21 April 1926, the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, and first grandchild of King George V. She became heir to the throne in 1936 when her father became King George VI, on the abdication of her Uncle, King Edward VIII.

Particularly since acceding to the throne, the Queen's face has been captured repeatedly on film and canvas. Many of these images have been the source of several stamps, and even more proposed stamp designs.

As a Princess, she appeared on many Commonwealth stamps, particularly Newfoundland, Canada and New Zealand.  Many of the stamps were created from photographs taken by court photographers at the time. She did not appear on any stamps of Great Britain prior to becoming Queen in 1952.

Illustrations

Photograph by Marcus Adams

First stamp to show Princess Elizabeth

Photograph by Marcus Adams

1935 Canada Silver Jubilee stamp

Photograph by Cecil Beaton

New Zealand Health stamp, 1943

Photo by B. Park & M. Adams

New Zealand Health stamp, 1950

Photograph signed by the Queen