The unveiling of a comprehensive digital archive chronicling Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign has reached a major milestone. A new tranche of personal and public memories of the late monarch is now available online, along with a fully digitised version of the Court Circular – a searchable record of her official engagements from 1952 to 2022.
The project, led by the Cabinet Office since its launch on 21st April 2026, aims to create a lasting digital legacy. This includes extensive materials such as photography and video documenting key events from Queen Elizabeth's life. The platform invites individuals worldwide to contribute their own recollections, fostering a collective memory of her time on the throne. The newly published memories, presented via an interactive map, illustrate the breadth of impact and reach Queen Elizabeth had across the United Kingdom. Further contributions are expected throughout the year.
Contributions include a poignant anecdote from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales about sharing tea with his grandmother at Windsor Castle during childhood. Other submissions showcase diverse interactions, such as an aircraft handler recalling the Queen's apology for tracking grass into her helicopter and a Belfast resident capturing her majestic wave during a 2012 visit. One particularly vivid memory describes the Queen's composure while riding Burmese during Trooping The Colour when shots were fired, highlighting her horsemanship and determination.
The digitised Court Circular offers unparalleled access to a record of Queen Elizabeth II's official engagements over seven decades. This extensive undertaking was supported by volunteer students from various schools, working with data originally provided by The Times Online. The searchable archive provides a detailed insight into the monarch's dedication to her duties throughout her reign.
The digital memorial is a collaborative effort between leading UK cultural and heritage institutions. Partners include The National Archives, the Royal Collection, the Royal Mint Museum, Royal Mail, and the Press Association. Alongside the newly released memories and the Court Circular, additional archival material has been published today, detailing key moments from Queen Elizabeth's life and reign for public exploration.
Members of the public are encouraged to continue sharing their own memories of Queen Elizabeth II via the website, contributing to this evolving historical record.