Photos show how the first year of King Charles' reign compared to his mother Queen Elizabeth's

Erin McDowellSep 8, 2023, 18:12 IST

King Charles' first year as monarch differed slightly from his mother Queen Elizabeth's.Bettmann/Getty Images; Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth II died a year ago, on September 8, 2022.
In the year since he ascended the throne, King Charles III has met two different prime ministers.

September 8 marks one year since the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III.

In the year that has passed since his mother's death, King Charles has made numerous public appearances, traveled throughout the United Kingdom, and attended his first Royal Ascot as king.

When Queen Elizabeth became monarch in 1952, after the sudden death of her father King George VI, she also took on new responsibilities as ruler between highly publicized appearances.

Here's how the first year of King Charles' reign compares to his mother Queen Elizabeth's, in photos.

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, aged 96.

A crowd gathers at Buckingham Palace following Queen Elizabeth II's death.Yui Mok - PA Images / Contributor / Getty Images

The Queen's father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952, at age 56.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, leaving their BOAC airliner as they return from Kenya following the death of King George VI and Elizabeth's accession to the throne on February 7, 1952.Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

After the Queen's death, Charles, then 73, became the oldest person in British history to become king.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, greet well-wishers as they arrive at Hillsborough Castle in Belfast on September 13, 2022.NIALL CARSON/POOL/AFP/Getty Images

When Elizabeth ascended the throne, she was just 26 and a young mother of two.

Queen Elizabeth II with Prince Charles and Princess Anne on the grounds of Balmoral Castle, Scotland, on November 14, 1952.Lisa Sheridan/Studio Lisa/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Just one day after her passing, King Charles honored his mother in his first address to the United Kingdom on September 9, 2022.

King Charles III delivers his first address to the nation on September 9, 2022.Yui Mok/WPA Pool/Getty Images

He attended his mother's funeral on September 19, 2022.

King Charles III and members of the royal family follow behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey after her State Funeral on September 19, 2022.Danny Lawson/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Elizabeth attended her father's funeral on February 11, 1952.

Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wearing black veils in the mourning cortege of their late father, King George VI on February 11, 1952.Derek Berwin/Fox Photos/Getty Images

In early October, Charles and Camilla visited Dunfermline Abbey in Scotland.

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort, wave as they leave Dunfermline Abbey on October 3, 2022.Andrew Milligan/Pool/Getty Images

The young queen also visited Scotland during her first year on the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II on a visit to the Scottish Craft Centre, Edinburgh, on July 12, 1952.Raymond Kleboe/Picture Post/Getty Images

Charles met Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace on October 12, 2022.

King Charles III meets Prime Minister Liz Truss during their weekly audience at Buckingham Palace on October 12, 2022.Kirsty O'Connor/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Less than two weeks later, on October 25, Charles met with the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak.

King Charles III welcomes Rishi Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace on October 25, 2022.Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The first prime minister under Queen Elizabeth's reign was Winston Churchill.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill after the death of King George VI.PA Images/Getty Images

In an official portrait taken in November, Charles was photographed beside an ancient oak tree in Windsor Great Park.

King Charles III stands beside an ancient oak tree in Windsor Great Park to mark his appointment as Ranger of the Park, on November 11, 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Queen Elizabeth's portrait showcased her passion for animals.

Queen Elizabeth II in the gardens of Balmoral Castle with two of her pet dogs in September 1952.Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis/Getty Images

On Christmas Day in 2022, Charles delivered his first annual Christmas Day message as monarch. In the address, he spoke about grief and honored his mother.

A family sits in a living room in Liverpool, as they watch Britain's King Charles III delivering his first annual Christmas Day message, on television, on December 25, 2022.PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

In her first Christmas address on December 25, 1952, Elizabeth expressed her thanks to the public for their support.

Queen Elizabeth II making her first Christmas broadcast to the nation from Sandringham House in Norfolk, England on December 25, 1952.Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Charles' year has also been marked with moments of joy. At Royal Ascot in June 2023, a photographer captured the moment he and Camilla watched their horse win.

Queen Camilla and King Charles III at Royal Ascot 2023 on June 22, 2023, in Ascot, England.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

Like Charles, one of Elizabeth's first major royal engagements as Queen was at Royal Ascot.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, with Master of the Horse the Duke of Beaufort, arriving at the Golden Gate in an open landau to attend the Ascot races on June 17, 1952.J. Wilds/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Charles' monarchy, which highlights key royal family members like Prince William and Kate Middleton, appears to be modernizing — albeit slowly.

Prince William serves a beer during a visit to the Dog & Duck Pub in central London on May 4, 2023.JAMIE LORRIMAN/POOL/AFP/Getty Images

Elizabeth, with the help of her "rebel princess" sister Margaret, modernized the monarchy's public image by making appearances at performances and variety shows in her first year.

Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth watch the Royal Variety Performance from the Royal Box at the Palladium in November 1952.PA Images/Getty Images

Elizabeth, with the help of her "rebel princess" sister Margaret, modernized the monarchy's public image by making appearances at performances and variety shows in her first year.

The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla took place on May 6, 2023.

King Charles III waves from the Buckingham Palace balcony after the Coronation service of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on May 6, 2023.Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

The Queen was not crowned until over a year after her father died.

Queen Elizabeth waves as she drives to the House of Lords to open Parliament for the first time on November 5, 1952.Bettmann/Getty Images

Kate Middleton's best looks from her first year as Princess of Wales

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

Photos show how the first year of King Charles' reign compared to his mother Queen Elizabeth's

Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, aged 96.

The Queen's father, King George VI, died on February 6, 1952, at age 56.

After the Queen's death, Charles, then 73, became the oldest person in British history to become king.

When Elizabeth ascended the throne, she was just 26 and a young mother of two.

Just one day after her passing, King Charles honored his mother in his first address to the United Kingdom on September 9, 2022.

He attended his mother's funeral on September 19, 2022.

Elizabeth attended her father's funeral on February 11, 1952.

In early October, Charles and Camilla visited Dunfermline Abbey in Scotland.

The young queen also visited Scotland during her first year on the throne.

Charles met Prime Minister Liz Truss at Buckingham Palace on October 12, 2022.

Less than two weeks later, on October 25, Charles met with the current prime minister, Rishi Sunak.

The first prime minister under Queen Elizabeth's reign was Winston Churchill.

In an official portrait taken in November, Charles was photographed beside an ancient oak tree in Windsor Great Park.

Queen Elizabeth's portrait showcased her passion for animals.

On Christmas Day in 2022, Charles delivered his first annual Christmas Day message as monarch. In the address, he spoke about grief and honored his mother.

In her first Christmas address on December 25, 1952, Elizabeth expressed her thanks to the public for their support.

Charles' year has also been marked with moments of joy. At Royal Ascot in June 2023, a photographer captured the moment he and Camilla watched their horse win.

Like Charles, one of Elizabeth's first major royal engagements as Queen was at Royal Ascot.

Charles' monarchy, which highlights key royal family members like Prince William and Kate Middleton, appears to be modernizing — albeit slowly.

Elizabeth, with the help of her "rebel princess" sister Margaret, modernized the monarchy's public image by making appearances at performances and variety shows in her first year.

The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla took place on May 6, 2023.

The Queen was not crowned until over a year after her father died.