Queen Elizabeth as a pop icon
Queen Elizabeth has passed away, but her iconography will last forever. The monarch reigned for 70 years and had a certain flexibility to adapt to the trends of changing times. Over the years, she became an unlikely pop icon.
This is how Her Majesty engaged with her country, the world, and many of the most important characters, groups, and celebrities in history. How about these four lads from Liverpool who, at some point, dominated the world in parallel to Queen Elizabeth?
Something more vindictive was the 'God Save The Queen' that the Sex Pistols launched in 1977 in response to the monarch's Silver Jubilee that year. A sarcastic song that nevertheless confirmed the iconic nature of Her Majesty.
The cover that Jamie Reid created for that glorious single now rests in the National Portrait Gallery in London. What was intended to attack the queen, therefore, ended up being a work of art with her as the protagonist.
Different is the case of Andy Warhol's color plates, launched in 1985. Based on the official photo of that 1977 Jubilee he made adaptations in his own recognizable style. They are now exhibited at the Tate Modern.
Elton John has always been closely linked to the British Royal Family. In fact, he has a mansion attached to Windsor Palace and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998, months after moving the world with his 'Candle in the Wind' dedicated to Princess Diana.
When the queen rose to the throne, Winston Churchill was the country's prime minister. He was a great support and a teacher for the queen who had not yet found her way.
The Queen of Britain and the Queen of Hollywood were born just 40 days apart, but their lives were completely different. Marilyn Monroe and Queen Elizabeth II met in 1956 while the actress was filming 'The Prince and the Showgirl' a few miles from Windsor.
In 1997, the Spice Girls revolutionized the world with their music and girl power. The queen could not hide her joy, as seen in this photo, to meet the women who could have ruled the world with her.
Long ago, some high school classmates made fun of Lady Gaga because she wanted to be a star and they didn't believe in her. Well, let them have a look at this photo. You can tell that there are two queens shaking hands here.
Wimbledon is an emblematic and elegant Grand Slam tournament. In 2010, the queen went to greet those who, at that time, dominated the tennis scene.
They met in 2006 when the queen hosted a reception to celebrate the achievements of various public figures, including the scientist. They got along so well that Stephen Hawking returned to Buckingham Palace several times afterwards.
Throughout her 70-year reign, Elizabeth II met no fewer than seven popes. John Paul II, perhaps the most mediatic of the contemporary popes, had several meetings with her.
At the unforgettable opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games, Daniel Craig got into his role as James Bond and put himself, as part of his role, at Her Majesty's service. He accompanied her to the ceremony in what was probably one of its most memorable parts.
The Queen with Queen or Queen with the Queen. One of the most important groups in British music history had to make some kind of art with Her Majesty. In this photo, Elizabeth-look-alike Jeannette Charles posed with Freddie Mercury and the other members of the legendary band.
The legendary actor was knighted by the Queen in March 1975. Meetings between Elizabeth II and Charles Chaplin were quite common.
On the occasion of Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, the Queen recorded a humorous sketch with Paddington bear at Buckingham Palace. They were both having tea when Paddington asked the Queen what she had in her bag. The monarch surprised everyone by taking out a jam sandwich. A wonderful moment.