From Mother Theresa and the Spice Girls to two American tourists she played a prank on, the late Queen Elizabeth II has encountered millions of people from all walks of life. As we celebrate the life of the late royal - who died peacefully aged 96 on September 8 - take a look back at some of the longest-serving monarch's most memorable encounters...

The US president first met The Queen on an official visit to Windsor Castle in July 2018, where they inspected a Guard of Honour before enjoying afternoon tea, alongside Trump's wife Melania. The following summer, the Trumps returned to the UK for a three-day formal state visit to mark the 75th anniversary of D-Day. And the couple were also present for a reception at Buckingham Palace in December to mark 70 years of NATO.

Late Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe broke royal protocol when she met Her Royal Highness . The pair, who were the same age, 30 at the time, met at the Empire Theatre in London in 1965. However, she wore a low-cut dress, which was against the rules for meeting the monarch. The pair had met when the 'Some Like It Hot' star was filming 'The Prince and The Showgirl' in England that year.

Queen Elizabeth II met with the late former South African President, Nelson Mandela at a reception at Buckingham Palace on 20 October, 2003.

Dame Judi Dench - who starred as Queen Elizabeth I in the 1998 film 'Shakespeare In Love' - received her damehood in 1988. And Queen Elizabeth awarded the iconic British movie star with the Insignia of a Companion of Honour in 2005.

Angelina Jolie was honoured with an honorary damehood by the British monarch in 2014 for her humanitarian efforts and her work to help put a stop to sexual violence in war-torn countries. The pair are said to have bonded over the subject of forest conservation in Nambia.

Perhaps one of the most iconic photographs of Queen Elizabeth is of her greeting the world's biggest girl band, the Spice Girls, in a beautiful golden silk gown. The occasion was The Royal Command Performance at Victoria Palace Theatre in December 1997. Geri Horner, Melanie C, Mel B, Emma Bunton and Posh Spice would go on to have several encounters with the royals, including now-King Charles III and his sons Princes William and Harry. Mel B was honoured with an MBE by William in May this year for her services to domestic violence victims.

At The Queen's Platinum Jubilee in June, celebrating the monarch's 96th birthday, Elizabeth II filmed a heartwarming sketch with Paddington Bear where she had afternoon tea with the fictional character from the big screen. The bear - voiced by Ben Whishaw - said to HRH: "Happy Jubilee Ma'am. And thank you for everything." To which, she replied: "That's very kind."

The Queen went viral while attending a military parade in 2021. Upon being handed a ceremonial sword by Edward Bolitho, the Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Elizabeth II decided to use the rather large sword to cut into the cake. And when told "there is a more conventional knife available", the quick-witted royal quipped: "I know there is, this is more unusual."

Following the passing of the monarch, her former protection officer Richard Griffin shared the viral tale of HRH playing a prank on two passing American tourists they encountered who had not realised they were in the company of The Queen. The two hikers were at the Balmoral Estate in Scotland. Elizabeth II - was wearing a headscarf at the time - told the pair that Richard had met the Queen and they proceeded to have a photo with him. However, he swapped places with the royal. He recalled: "Her Majesty said to me that she'd love to be a fly on the wall when he shows these photos to his American friends and someone tells him who I am."