Hatshepsut was the daughter of Thutmose I and Queen Ahmose. She married her half-brother, Thutmose II, who had a son, Thutmose III, by another of his wives. When Thutmose II died in 1479 BC his son, Thutmose III, was too young to become pharaoh and Hatshepsut was appointed to rule jointly. However, in 1473 she decided that she would rule alone and she was supported in this by the High Priest.

Because pharaohs were supposed to be men, Hatshepsut dressed like a man when holding court, but she still wore perfume and make-up like a woman.