The royal family have marked the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh's 72nd wedding anniversary with an array of black and white throwback pictures.

The Queen, 93, married Prince Philip, 98, on the 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey and the couple went on to have three children, Prince Charles, 71, Princess Anne, 69, Prince Andrew, 59, and Prince Edward, 55.

Today the Royal Family Twitter and Instagram account shared a picture of the Queen and Philip standing on the royal balcony on their wedding day, along with a picture of the couple at more recent engagement in 2015.

The caption reads: 'Happy 72nd Wedding Anniversary to The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh, who were married on this day in Westminster Abbey #happy anniversary.'.

 The post quickly racked up 5,000 likes in just 20 minutes, with royal fans congratulating the couple.

And the Kensington Palace Instagram account also paid tribute the the Queen, posting another black and white snap of the couple enjoying a walk during their honeymoon at Broadlands, Romsey, Hampshire, and a more recent picture of the pair.

The caption reads: 'Wishing Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh a very happy 72nd Wedding Anniversary!'.

This year was another special year for the Queen and Prince Philip, as they became great grand-parents for the eight time with their grandchild Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle welcoming baby Archie in May. 

Princess Elizabeth and Philip first met in 1934 at the wedding of Princess Marina of Greece and Denmark and Prince George, the Duke of Kent, and fell in love five years later, at a pivotal meeting at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, Devon when King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited with their two daughters.

Prince Philip entertained his future wife by jumping over the tennis nets.

The king’s official biographer, Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, recalled: ‘This was the man with whom Princess Elizabeth had been in love from their first meeting.’

The engagement of the cousins was officially announced on July 9, 1947 and the wedding took place just four months later on November 20, 1947 at Westminster Abbey.

Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen was the 10th member of the Royal Family to be married at Westminster Abbey.

Elizabeth wore an ivory silk Norman Hartnell gown that was decorated with 10,000 seed pearls, glittering crystals and an intricate 13ft (4m) star-patterned train. The design for the dress was only approved less than three months before the day.

Prince Philip became the Duke of Edinburgh before the wedding.

Five years into their marriage, Elizabeth became the Queen of England.

Together, the couple celebrated the Queen's Silver, Golden and Diamond Jubilees and faced the highs and lows of life.

The duke added: ‘It may not be quite so important when things are going well, but it is absolutely vital when the going gets difficult.’

‘You can take it from me that the Queen has the quality of tolerance in abundance.’

Two years ago the Queen and Prince Philip celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary, throwing a black-tie party for 100 friends and family at Windsor Castle.