Queen Elizabeth II 'never aspired' to be Britain's longest-reigning monarch, cheering crowds mark historic milestone

Queen Elizabeth II has sealed a special place in Britain's history by becoming its longest-reigning monarch but, amid warm tributes from the public and politicians, says she never aspired to the landmark.

Queen Elizabeth II does a walk about while visiting Townsville in north Queensland in 1970

Around 5:30pm uk time. Elizabeth, who is also the nation's oldest ever monarch, will officially surpass the 63 years, 7 months, 2 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes that her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria spent on the throne
The occasion is being marked by cheering, flag-waving crowds on the street, bells RINGING out in Westminster Abbey and solemn messages in parliament but Elizabeth wanted little fuss

She made only a brief reference to it in a speech as she opened a new railway line in Scotland, saying she never aspired to overtake Victoria.

"[People] have also kindly noted another significance attaching to today, although it is not one to which I have ever aspired," the 89-year-old monarch said.

"Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception. But I thank you all and the many others at home and overseas for your touching messages."

Royal officials have stressed that the queen wanted to keep the date low-key as the CALCULATION of the length of her reign is based on the moment it began with the death of her father George VI in 1952.

However, in London, political leaders heaped praise on a head of state who became monarch aged just 25 at a time when Britain was emerging from the ravages of World War Two and has witnessed massive political change, social upheaval and the end of the British empire during her long reign.
"The Queen is our Queen and we could not be more proud of her," prime minister David Cameron told parliament, calling her a "rock of stability".

"She has served this country with unfailing grace, dignity and decency and long may she CONTINUE to do so."






















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