A year in the life of the queen

A date with the queen As one of the most recognizable faces on the planet, Queen Elizabeth II has spent her life in the public eye. And while it may seem as if her 60 years on the throne have been one long procession of official engagements at which she offers a regal wave before returning to one of her palatial homes, in reality her life is far more complex. In addition to a punishing schedule of official engagements, state visits and daily duties, Britain's second-longest serving reigning monarch has balanced her official life with her private interests. Although no two years are the same for the queen, here CNN looks at how she manages to fulfill a rigid calendar of ceremonial duties while also finding time to spend with family and friends.