Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch and British Head of State

HRM Queen Elizabeth II with her husband Prince Phillip - 2015 (Source: www.vogue.it)

After assuming her reign as queen of England on the 2^nd of February 1952, Queen Elizabeth II today becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch. The Queen surpasses her great great grand-mother Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years 7 months and 2 days.

She is also the world’s oldest reigning monarch as well as Britain’s longest lived. Her coronation service in 1953 was the first ever to be televised.

Queen Elizabeth II's coronation - 1953 (Source: ABC News)

As the Head of State of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms, Queen Elizabeth has been quite a popular figure across the world. 

The Queen in Seychelles - 1971 (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk) 

The Queen was born to Albert Frederick Arthur George (George VI) and Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (Elizabeth I). She ascended the throne at the age of 25 after the death of her father who had reigned for 16 years.

During the Second World War, the queen undertook public duties where she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. 

Queen Elizabeth II in 1945 (Source: www.express.co.uk)

In 1947 she married Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh with whom she has four children; Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. 

Amidst her royal duties, the Queen has not forgotten her role as a wife and mother, seen in the pictures below with the Duke of Edinburgh and the kids including baby Andrew as they relaxed in the grounds of Balmoral in 1960.

The Duke of Edinburgh with the Queen entertaining the kids including baby Prince Andrew
as they relax in the grounds of Balmoral - 1960 (Source: www.businessinsider.my)

Spending time together at Windsor with young prince sat next to his mother &
father Prince Philip - 1968 (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk)

Queen Elizabeth II has seen through six decades of massive political, social and economic changes and reforms. She has seen major constitutional changes, such as devolution in the UK, Canadian patriation and the decolonisation of Africa. She has also reined through various wars and conflicts involving many of her realms.

Queen Elizabeth II on royal visit to Khyber Pass being escorted by
 Nawab of Kalabagh (on the right) - 1962 (Source: Syedih Husain)

The Queen with Jomo Kenyatta and his wife in Nairobi, Kenya - 1971

In 1982 Her Royal Majesty (HRM) became the first monarch since the reformation to welcome a Pope to Britain during John Paul II’s pastoral visit to the country and in 2010.

HRM The Queen with Pope John Paul II - 1982 (Source: www.telegraph.co.uk)

Queen Elizabeth attending Trooping the Colour on horse and took the salute of
The Household Guards at Horse Guard's Parade - 1985 (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk)

1992 was a year the Queen termed 'Annus Horribilis' a Latin phrase meaning 'Horrible Year'. She said, '1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an Annus Horribilis'. Here are some of the events to which she alluded; 

• In March 1992, it was announced that her second son, the Duke of York would separate from his wife, the Duchess of York. Later in the year, scandalous pictures of a topless Duchess of York being kissed on her feet by her friend, John Bryan, were published in the tabloids.
• Also in March 1992, the Mauritian Monarchy was abolished.
• In April, her daughter,the Princess Royal, divorced her husband, Captain Mark Philips.
• In June, 'the Princess of Wales' tell-all book, Diana, Her True Story, was published.
• In November, just four days before the Guildhall speech, one of the Queen’s homes, Windsor Castle caught fire. The castle was seriously damaged, and several priceless artifacts were lost. John Major, then Prime Minister, originally indicated that the government would fund the cost of repairs (Windsor Castle, like Buckingham Palace, being government-owned). Convention requires the monarch to accept the advice of his or her Prime Minister, but there was considerable public outcry against this plan. As an alternative to relying solely on the taxpayer, the government decided to open some publicly owned royal residences to tourists during the summer period when the Queen is not in residence, and the revenue from those tours was applied to the castle repair costs.

The Queen visiting Windsor Castle after the fire - 1992 (www.dailymail.co.uk)

1997 was yet another sad year for the Queen, the royals and the rest of the world as it saw the death of the Princess of Wales; Princess Diana.

Queen Elizabeth II at Princess Diana's funeral - 1997 (Source: www.theguardian.co.uk)

Year 2002 marked the Queen's Golden Jubilee which she celebrated in a stylishly elegant orange outfit. She has constantly worn exquisitely bright colours, showing an up-to-date fashion sense.

The Queen returns from St. Paul's cathedral after a service of thanksgiving
to celebrate her Golden Jubilee - 2002 (Source: www.telegraph.co.uk) 

Her Majesty in green - 2002 (Source: aliveradio.net)

Queen Elizabeth posses with the three future monarchs; Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George.

The three future monarchs inline with the Queen (Source: www.usmagazine.com)

HRM Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, marking 60 years of her reign.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her diamond jubilee - 2012 (Source:Times.com)

The Queen addressing the Lords and Members of the House of Commons - 2013
(Source: www.telegraph.co.uk)

Her Majesty in a rare public speech today, is expected to address the people of Britain and the Commonwealth in a short speech at the opening of a Scottish Borders railway in Tweedbank, which has been described as the longest domestic railway line to be built in the UK in over a century. She had originally wished to spend the landmark day in private; since celebrating it would be the same as celebrating her great great-grand mother's death - which would be morally wrong.