Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Celebrate 67th Wedding Anniversary: Pictures of Couple Through the Years

Zachary Stieber
11/21/2014
Updated:
11/21/2014

Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary, with a busy day that included a visit to the Royal Air Force station in Lossiemouth, Scotland.

The Queen, 88, and Philip, 93, arrived in Elgin by train and were greeted by Lieutenant Colonel Grenville Johnston, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, and the general public.

One young child handed the Queen a bouquet of flowers as she and her husband smiled for the cameras and made their way to the RAF base.

Philip recently returned from Germany where he presented troops with medals.

The Queen visited the facility, which provides a quick response in the event of unidentified aircrafts in northern airspace, in 2003, reported Hello magazine.

This time around the Queen unveiled a plaque at the newly-built Quick Reaction Alert facility while pilots and their families greeted the royals, and another child handed over a bouquet of flowers. 

Elizabeth and Philip were married on November 20, 1947.

Philip was born in Greece into the Greek and Danish royal families but his family was exiled from Greece when he was young.

This official picture of Princess Elizabeth heir presumptive to the British throne, and her fiance, Lieut, Philip Mountbatten, was made on July 10, 1947 in London. The Princess engagement ring can be seen on her finger. (AP Photo)
This official picture of Princess Elizabeth heir presumptive to the British throne, and her fiance, Lieut, Philip Mountbatten, was made on July 10, 1947 in London. The Princess engagement ring can be seen on her finger. (AP Photo)

 

Britain's Princess Elizabeth leaves Westminster Abbey in London, with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, on November 20, 1947, after their wedding ceremony. (AP photo)
Britain's Princess Elizabeth leaves Westminster Abbey in London, with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, on November 20, 1947, after their wedding ceremony. (AP photo)

 

Princess Elizabeth, center, congratulates Moira Shearer, left, a ballerina in the Scots Ballet Artiste, following the latter's performance at a concert, held in honor of the Princess and the Duke of Edinburgh, right, at the Usher Hall, March 1, 1949, Edinburgh, Scotland. The Princess wears a crinoline gown of white satin embroidered with crystals a diamond and necklace. Earlier in the day, the freedom of the city of Edinburgh was conferred on the Duke. (AP Photo)
Princess Elizabeth, center, congratulates Moira Shearer, left, a ballerina in the Scots Ballet Artiste, following the latter's performance at a concert, held in honor of the Princess and the Duke of Edinburgh, right, at the Usher Hall, March 1, 1949, Edinburgh, Scotland. The Princess wears a crinoline gown of white satin embroidered with crystals a diamond and necklace. Earlier in the day, the freedom of the city of Edinburgh was conferred on the Duke. (AP Photo)

 

In this July 18, 1949 photo, Prince Charles, foreground left, the eight-month-old son of Princess Elizabeth of England, left, and his father Philip, poses for a photo, on the Windlesham Moor, their summer residence, in Ascot, England. (AP Photo, File)
In this July 18, 1949 photo, Prince Charles, foreground left, the eight-month-old son of Princess Elizabeth of England, left, and his father Philip, poses for a photo, on the Windlesham Moor, their summer residence, in Ascot, England. (AP Photo, File)

 

With her mother, Queen Elizabeth (right) and her grandmother, Queen Mary, sitting beside her, Princess Elizabeth holds her daughter, Princess Anne, in Buckingham Palace, London on Oct. 21, 1950, when the two-month-old Princess was christened. The infant Princess is the second child of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. (AP Photo)
With her mother, Queen Elizabeth (right) and her grandmother, Queen Mary, sitting beside her, Princess Elizabeth holds her daughter, Princess Anne, in Buckingham Palace, London on Oct. 21, 1950, when the two-month-old Princess was christened. The infant Princess is the second child of Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. (AP Photo)

 

Queen Elizabeth II wearing black, and a white hat drives in an open carriage from the Golden Gates at Ascot, Racecourse, Berkshire, England in afternoon on June 18, 1952, with the Duke of Edinburgh. On the second day of the Royal Ascot meeting. (AP Photo)
Queen Elizabeth II wearing black, and a white hat drives in an open carriage from the Golden Gates at Ascot, Racecourse, Berkshire, England in afternoon on June 18, 1952, with the Duke of Edinburgh. On the second day of the Royal Ascot meeting. (AP Photo)

 

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh sit side by side in London's Odeon Theater on Oct. 31, 1955, where they attended the Royal command film performance. (AP Photo)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh sit side by side in London's Odeon Theater on Oct. 31, 1955, where they attended the Royal command film performance. (AP Photo)

 

Britain's first family Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles, stands at top of steps of the East Terrace Garden on June 5, 1959 at Windsor castle in England during recent spring walk about the castle grounds. In background is Brunswick tower. (AP Photo)
Britain's first family Prince Philip, Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II, and Prince Charles, stands at top of steps of the East Terrace Garden on June 5, 1959 at Windsor castle in England during recent spring walk about the castle grounds. In background is Brunswick tower. (AP Photo)

 

Queen Elizabeth II poses with President John Kennedy, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and Prince Philip, June 5, 1961, at Buckingham Palace in London. The Kennedys were guests of the Queen at dinner. (AP Photo)
Queen Elizabeth II poses with President John Kennedy, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and Prince Philip, June 5, 1961, at Buckingham Palace in London. The Kennedys were guests of the Queen at dinner. (AP Photo)

 

Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain walks with her family on April 19,1965 at Frogmore, Windsor, England. During a picture session taken to mark her 39th Birthday. Prince Edward, 1, is in Pram with Prince Andrew, 4, holding on. Prince Philip and their two eldest Children, Princess Anne and Prince Charles, the heir apparent, complete the family group. (AP Photo)
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain walks with her family on April 19,1965 at Frogmore, Windsor, England. During a picture session taken to mark her 39th Birthday. Prince Edward, 1, is in Pram with Prince Andrew, 4, holding on. Prince Philip and their two eldest Children, Princess Anne and Prince Charles, the heir apparent, complete the family group. (AP Photo)

 

The Royal Family posed beside the lake on April 21, 1968 at Frogmore, Windsor, in honor of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II as she turned 42. Left to right: The Duke of Edinburgh (47 in June), Prince Edward, 4, The Queen, Princess Anne (18 in August), Prince Andrew, 8, and the Prince of Walles, 19. (AP Photo)
The Royal Family posed beside the lake on April 21, 1968 at Frogmore, Windsor, in honor of the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II as she turned 42. Left to right: The Duke of Edinburgh (47 in June), Prince Edward, 4, The Queen, Princess Anne (18 in August), Prince Andrew, 8, and the Prince of Walles, 19. (AP Photo)

 

Queen Elizabeth II of England and her husband Prince Philip of Edinburgh attend a horse race at Longchamp racecourse, outside Paris in May 1972 during their five-day official visit in France. (AFP/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II of England and her husband Prince Philip of Edinburgh attend a horse race at Longchamp racecourse, outside Paris in May 1972 during their five-day official visit in France. (AFP/Getty Images)

 

British Queen Elizabeth II (L) and her husband Prince Philip (R) attend Duke Edward of Windsor funerals in Windsor, UK, 05 June 1972. Between them walks the Duchess Wallis of Windsor, the American-born wife for whom the once King Edward VIII gave up the throne. (AFP/Getty Images)
British Queen Elizabeth II (L) and her husband Prince Philip (R) attend Duke Edward of Windsor funerals in Windsor, UK, 05 June 1972. Between them walks the Duchess Wallis of Windsor, the American-born wife for whom the once King Edward VIII gave up the throne. (AFP/Getty Images)

Philip met Elizabeth, his third cousin, in 1934, and they struck up a correspondence about five years later.

After he served in World War III, Philip was granted permission by George VI to marry Elizabeth. They waited until she turned 21, and were wed at Westminster Abbey. BBC radio broadcast the ceremony to some 200 million people around the world.

They have four children together--Princes Charles, Andrew, and Edward and Princess Anne.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are greeted by Emperor Hirohito of Japan, the entrance of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 7, 1975, British Royal couple arrive for an Imperial by the Japanese Majesties. (AP Photo)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are greeted by Emperor Hirohito of Japan, the entrance of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on May 7, 1975, British Royal couple arrive for an Imperial by the Japanese Majesties. (AP Photo)

 

The Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret arriving at Westminster Abbey on April 1, 1978 in London, to attend a service for thanksgiving to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. The congregation of more than 2,000 included nearly 300 “founder members” who were serving in the RAF on April 1, 1918. (AP Photo)
The Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret arriving at Westminster Abbey on April 1, 1978 in London, to attend a service for thanksgiving to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Air Force. The congregation of more than 2,000 included nearly 300 “founder members” who were serving in the RAF on April 1, 1918. (AP Photo)

 

The Duke of York, Prince Andrew (C) talks to his mother Queen Elizabeth (L) as his father Philippe, Duke of Edinburgh (R) looks on, 18 September 1982 aboard the air carrier HMS Invincible, as Prince Andrew is welcomed at his return from the Falklands war, where he served as a helicopter pilot in the British troops against Argentina. (AFP/Getty Images)
The Duke of York, Prince Andrew (C) talks to his mother Queen Elizabeth (L) as his father Philippe, Duke of Edinburgh (R) looks on, 18 September 1982 aboard the air carrier HMS Invincible, as Prince Andrew is welcomed at his return from the Falklands war, where he served as a helicopter pilot in the British troops against Argentina. (AFP/Getty Images)

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Emir of Qatar Shaikh Khailfa bin Hamad Al Thani share a laugh together prior to a state banquet hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1985. (AP Photo)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and the Emir of Qatar Shaikh Khailfa bin Hamad Al Thani share a laugh together prior to a state banquet hosted by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1985. (AP Photo)

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, second right, and Dutch Queen Beatrix, right, sit facing their husbands, Netherlands Princes Claus, fourth from right, and Britain's Prince Philip, with back to camera,during an open air horse drawn carriage ride through the woods surrounding the Het Loo Palace, in Apeldoorn, on July 5, 1988. (AP Photo/Str/Vogelzang)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, second right, and Dutch Queen Beatrix, right, sit facing their husbands, Netherlands Princes Claus, fourth from right, and Britain's Prince Philip, with back to camera,during an open air horse drawn carriage ride through the woods surrounding the Het Loo Palace, in Apeldoorn, on July 5, 1988. (AP Photo/Str/Vogelzang)

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are seated in a convertible French-made Citroen SM as they leave the Paris City Hall on Wednesday, June 10, 1992 after meeting with Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac on the second day of the royal couple four-day state visit in France. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are seated in a convertible French-made Citroen SM as they leave the Paris City Hall on Wednesday, June 10, 1992 after meeting with Paris Mayor Jacques Chirac on the second day of the royal couple four-day state visit in France. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth poses with South African President Nelson Mandela, his daughter, Princess Zenani, and Prince Philip, at Buckingham Palace in London Tuesday July 9, 1996. President Mandela is in the United Kingdom on a four-day state visit.(AP Photo/John Eggit/POOL)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth poses with South African President Nelson Mandela, his daughter, Princess Zenani, and Prince Philip, at Buckingham Palace in London Tuesday July 9, 1996. President Mandela is in the United Kingdom on a four-day state visit.(AP Photo/John Eggit/POOL)

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, right, lead the annual procession of members of the Order of the Garter from Windsor Castle to St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England Monday, June 15, 1998. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, right, lead the annual procession of members of the Order of the Garter from Windsor Castle to St. George's Chapel in Windsor, England Monday, June 15, 1998. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool)

 

Britain's Prince Philip stands beside a cartoon of his wife Britain's Queen Elizabeth II behind the bar in the Old Vic pub from the TV show Eastenders drawn by Trogg for the Golden Jubillee, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002. (AP Photo/Chris Harris/The Times/WPA pool)
Britain's Prince Philip stands beside a cartoon of his wife Britain's Queen Elizabeth II behind the bar in the Old Vic pub from the TV show Eastenders drawn by Trogg for the Golden Jubillee, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002. (AP Photo/Chris Harris/The Times/WPA pool)

 

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial State Crown sits upon the Throne, with Prince Philip, right, prior to reading the Queen's Speech which outlines her Governments legislative program for the coming Parliamentary year, in the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday Nov. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant WPA POOL )
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II wearing the Imperial State Crown sits upon the Throne, with Prince Philip, right, prior to reading the Queen's Speech which outlines her Governments legislative program for the coming Parliamentary year, in the Palace of Westminster, London, Wednesday Nov. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant WPA POOL )

 

Britain's Prince Philip holds the hand of Queen Elizabeth II, during the State Opening of Parliament in London, Wednesday Nov. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Carl de Souza, pool)
Britain's Prince Philip holds the hand of Queen Elizabeth II, during the State Opening of Parliament in London, Wednesday Nov. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Carl de Souza, pool)

 

Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh say farewell to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Ani Bambang Yudhoyono at Buckingham Palace on November 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lewis Whyld - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II and the Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh say farewell to Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his wife Ani Bambang Yudhoyono at Buckingham Palace on November 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Lewis Whyld - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh attend a Solemn Drumhead service at Royal Hospital Chelsea on June 28, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson- WPA-Pool/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh attend a Solemn Drumhead service at Royal Hospital Chelsea on June 28, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson- WPA-Pool/Getty Images)

 

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London on October 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh visit the Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red evolving art installation at the Tower of London on October 16, 2014 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

 

Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II pose for a photo during a visit to RAF Lossiemouth on their 67th wedding anniversary on November 20, 2014 in Lossiemouth, Scotland. It was the Queen's first visit to the base since 2003. (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Queen Elizabeth II pose for a photo during a visit to RAF Lossiemouth on their 67th wedding anniversary on November 20, 2014 in Lossiemouth, Scotland. It was the Queen's first visit to the base since 2003. (Photo by Danny Lawson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

 

The Queen has credited Philip with helping her in her role, saying during the Golden wedding anniversary speech at Banqueting House in London in 1997 that “he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years.”

“I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know,” she added.

“Prince Philip is, I believe, well known for declining compliments of any kind. But throughout he has been a constant strength and guide,” she added in her iamond Jubilee address to Parliament at Westminster Hall in 2012.

Philip has also praised his wife, and revealed secrets to their long marriage. “I think the main lesson we have learnt is that tolerance is the one essential ingredient in any happy marriage... You can take it from me, the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance,” he said during a toast to the Queen at their golden wedding anniversary in 1997, according to the Mirror.

He added at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 2006: “It’s the secret of a happy marriage to have different interests.”