Timeline: The life of Queen Elizabeth

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Queen Elizabeth waves as she leaves Manchester town hall in northern England, Britain, March 23, 2012. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Queen Elizabeth, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and the nation's figurehead for seven decades, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace said on Thursday.

Following is a timeline of the queen's life and reign: