On 6 February 1952, a 25-year-old woman became queen of a realm ruled by men. That woman was Queen Elizabeth II. And that day heralded the beginning of a new Elizabethan age.

This combined image shows the St. Edward's Crown, left, made for King Charles II's coronation in 1661, and the Imperial State Crown, right, made for King George VI's coronation in 1937.