The Queen

In pictures: Queen Elizabeth II and the British Armed Forces

Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, during an Auxiliary Territorial Service course in 1945 — Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, during an Auxiliary Territorial Service course in 1945 (Picture: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo).

Princess Elizabeth, future Queen Elizabeth II, in Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform in 1945 — Princess Elizabeth, future Queen Elizabeth II, in Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform in 1945 (Picture: Classic Image/Alamy Stock Photo).

Princess Elizabeth - future Queen Elizabeth II - training as a second subaltern in the ATS in WW2 - working as a mechanic, taking out plugs of a car — Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth II, training as a second subaltern in the ATS in WW2 – working as a mechanic, taking out plugs of a car (Picture: Pump Park Vintage Photography/Alamy Stock Photo).

The Royal Family pictured during a visit to the Coastal Command station at Bircham Newton, Norfolk, — The Royal Family pictured during a visit to the Coastal Command station at Bircham Newton, Norfolk (Picture: MOD).

HRH Princess Elizabeth inspects the parade after presenting the first King's Colour of the Royal Air Force — HRH Princess Elizabeth inspects the parade after presenting the first King's Colour of the Royal Air Force (Picture: MOD).

The view at Runneymede on 17 October 1953 as HM Queen Elizabeth II arrives to unveil the Air Forces Memorial — The view at Runnymede on 17 October 1953 as HM Queen Elizabeth II arrives to unveil the Air Forces Memorial (Picture: MOD).

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth standing with a group of RAF Bomber Command crews from Nos 15 and 622 Squadrons — Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth standing with a group of RAF Bomber Command crews from Nos 15 and 622 Squadrons (Picture: MOD).

Queen Elizabeth II at Trooping the Colour 1976 010476 CREDIT Trinity Mirror, Mirrorpix, Alamy Stock Photo — Queen Elizabeth II at Trooping the Colour in 1976 (Picture: Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy Stock Photo).

Queen Elizabeth II visiting HMS Norfolk being shown around by Prince Charles, the ship he was serving on board — Queen Elizabeth II visiting HMS Norfolk being shown around by Prince Charles, the ship he was serving on board (Picture: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo).

Her Majesty the Queen arriving at the dais before the start of The Queen’s Birthday Parade — Her Majesty the Queen arriving at the dais before the start of the Queen's Birthday Parade (Picture: MOD).

Her Majesty The Queen visits RAF Marham in her capacity as Honorary Air Commodore of the Station — Her Majesty The Queen visits RAF Marham in her capacity as Honorary Air Commodore of the station (Picture: MOD).

HM The Queen reviews a parade before the presentation of the new Royal Observer Corps Standard at RAF Bentley Priory — HM The Queen reviews a parade before the presentation of the new Royal Observer Corps Standard at RAF Bentley Priory (Picture: MOD).

The Queen visits RAF Marham, meeting men and women who served in the Iraq conflict — The Queen visits RAF Marham, meeting men and women who served in the Iraq conflict (Picture: MOD).

The RAF Regiment represent the RAF in a Tri-Service Guard of Honour during Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to Whale Island in Portsmouth — The RAF Regiment represents the RAF in a Tri-Service Guard of Honour during Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to Whale Island in Portsmouth (Picture: MOD).

Queen Elizabeth II fires SA 80 rifle during centenary of Army Rifle Association at Bisley — Queen Elizabeth II fires SA 80 rifle during centenary of Army Rifle Association at Bisley (Picture: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo).

Her Majesty the Queen inspects 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards at Windsor Castle — Her Majesty the Queen inspects 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards at Windsor Castle (Picture: MOD).

Queen Elizabeth II meets members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery at Windsor Castle 061021 CREDIT PA Images, Alamy Stock Photo — Queen Elizabeth II meets members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery at Windsor Castle in October 2021 (Picture: PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo).

Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, during an Auxiliary Territorial Service course in 1945

Princess Elizabeth, future Queen Elizabeth II, in Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform in 1945

Princess Elizabeth - future Queen Elizabeth II - training as a second subaltern in the ATS in WW2 - working as a mechanic, taking out plugs of a car

The Royal Family pictured during a visit to the Coastal Command station at Bircham Newton, Norfolk,

HRH Princess Elizabeth inspects the parade after presenting the first King's Colour of the Royal Air Force

The view at Runneymede on 17 October 1953 as HM Queen Elizabeth II arrives to unveil the Air Forces Memorial

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Elizabeth standing with a group of RAF Bomber Command crews from Nos 15 and 622 Squadrons

Queen Elizabeth II at Trooping the Colour 1976 010476 CREDIT Trinity Mirror, Mirrorpix, Alamy Stock Photo

Queen Elizabeth II visiting HMS Norfolk being shown around by Prince Charles, the ship he was serving on board

Her Majesty the Queen arriving at the dais before the start of The Queen’s Birthday Parade

Her Majesty The Queen visits RAF Marham in her capacity as Honorary Air Commodore of the Station

HM The Queen reviews a parade before the presentation of the new Royal Observer Corps Standard at RAF Bentley Priory

The Queen visits RAF Marham, meeting men and women who served in the Iraq conflict

The RAF Regiment represent the RAF in a Tri-Service Guard of Honour during Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee visit to Whale Island in Portsmouth

Queen Elizabeth II fires SA 80 rifle during centenary of Army Rifle Association at Bisley

Her Majesty the Queen inspects 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards at Windsor Castle

Queen Elizabeth II meets members of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery at Windsor Castle 061021 CREDIT PA Images, Alamy Stock Photo

Throughout her life and reign as the longest-serving monarch in the UK's history, Queen Elizabeth II held a very close relationship with the British military.

Throughout a number of conflicts, the Queen was head of the Armed Forces.

Central to her reign, the Queen's special relationship started during her childhood during the Second World War and carried on as she ascended the throne and throughout her life.

Watch: Armed Forces and the monarchy have 'absolutely unique' relationship.

This selection of images showcases the Queen's relationship and role with the UK's Armed Forces.

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