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AP PHOTOS: British royals to celebrate 70th anniversary

LONDON (AP) - When Britain's 21-year-old Princess Elizabeth married 26-year-old Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten at Westminster Abbey in 1947, the wedding sparked joy and celebration in a country just recovering from World War II.

Seven decades on, the couple who would become Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip - now 91 and 96, respectively - are still going strong, their marriage a bedrock in British public life amid a world of change.

On Monday, they mark their 70th wedding anniversary, though officials say the milestone will be celebrated privately and no public events are planned. The royal family is reportedly marking the date with a gathering at Windsor Castle.

The queen is the first monarch in British history to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary.

At their 50th wedding anniversary, Elizabeth praised her husband as "quite simply... my strength and stay all these years."

Elizabeth first met Philip, a naval officer and the son of Prince Andrew of Greece, as they attended the wedding of Philip's cousin in 1934.

The pair wed at Westminster Abbey in London on Nov. 20, 1947. It would be nearly another six years before Elizabeth would be crowned as monarch, also at Westminster Abbey.

In the decades that followed, Philip, who also holds the title Duke of Edinburgh, spent almost the entire duration of their marriage supporting his wife in her role as head of state. Both have cut back on their public engagements in recent years, and Philip retired from official duties earlier this year.

The royal couple has four children, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

FILE - In this Nov. 20, 1947 file photo, Britain's Princess Elizabeth and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh leave Westminster Abbey, London, following their wedding service. On Monday Nov. 20, 2017 they mark their 70th wedding anniversary, though officials say the milestone will be celebrated privately and no public events are planned.(AP Photo, File) The Associated Press
FILE - this is a July 10, 1947 file photo, Britain's Princess Elizabeth heir to the British throne, and her fiance, Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten pose for a photograph on announcement of their engagement, in London. (AP Photo, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 20, 1947 file photo, Britain's Princess Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh pose for a photograph, in London, following their wedding service. On Monday Nov. 20, 2017, they mark their 70th wedding anniversary, though officials say the milestone will be celebrated privately and no public events are planned.(AP Photo, File) The Associated Press
FILE - This is a June. 2, 1953 file photo of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as they wave to supporters from the balcony at Buckingham Palace, following her coronation at Westminster Abbey. London. (AP Photo/Leslie Priest, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Dec. 19, 1965 file photo, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip is surrounded by member of her family on the grounds of Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England. From left, Princess Anne, Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, 5. In the pram is Prince Edward. (AP Photo, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Nov. 20, 1972 file photo, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are surround by their family in Buckingham Palace, in London, on the occasion of the royal couples silver wedding. From left in the picture are shown: Prince Charles, Prince Edward, the youngest child (aged 8), the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Andrew (aged 12) and Princess Anne, (22). (AP Photo, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this June 29, 2011 file photo, Queen Elizabeth II, right, and the Duke of Edinburgh walk back into the Palace after attending the annual summer garden party held at Buckingham Palace in London. On Monday Nov. 20, 2017, they mark their 70th wedding anniversary, though officials say the milestone will be celebrated privately and no public events are planned. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, Pool, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Saturday, June 17, 2017 file photo, members of Britain's Royal family from left, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Princess Eugenie, Queen Elizabeth II, background Timothy Laurence, Princess Beatrice, Prince Philip, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William watch a fly past as they appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, after attending the annual Trooping the Colour Ceremony in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Tuesday, May 23, 2017 file photo, Britain's Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip observe a minute's silence, at the start of a garden party at Buckingham Palace in London. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility Tuesday for the suicide attack at an Ariana Grande show that left over 20 people dead and dozens injured. (Dominic Lipinski/Pool Photo via AP, File) The Associated Press
FILE - In this Jan. 30, 1961 file photo, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh walk, during their first visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. (AP Photo, File) The Associated Press
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