Elizabeth II becomes UK's longest-reigning monarch - CNN

Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain's longest-reigning monarch

By Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

Updated 1503 GMT (2303 HKT) September 9, 2015

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning monarch in British history.
Hide Caption
1 of 66
Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, in London. She is held here by her mother, also named Elizabeth. Her father would later become King George VI.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth was born April 21, 1926, in London. She is held here by her mother, also named Elizabeth. Her father would later become King George VI.
Hide Caption
2 of 66
Princess Elizabeth poses for a photo at her London home in 1928.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth poses for a photo at her London home in 1928.
Hide Caption
3 of 66
Princess Elizabeth is seen with her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, during a visit to Balmoral, Scotland, in September 1933. He would go on to become King Edward VIII in 1936. But when he abdicated later that year, Elizabeth's father became King and she became heir presumptive.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth is seen with her uncle Edward, Prince of Wales, during a visit to Balmoral, Scotland, in September 1933. He would go on to become King Edward VIII in 1936. But when he abdicated later that year, Elizabeth's father became King and she became heir presumptive.
Hide Caption
4 of 66
From left, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
From left, Princess Elizabeth, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret wave to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on June 22, 1939.
Hide Caption
5 of 66
Elizabeth rides a horse in Windsor, England, in 1940. Her love of horses has been well documented.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth rides a horse in Windsor, England, in 1940. Her love of horses has been well documented.
Hide Caption
6 of 66
A 14-year-old Elizabeth, right, sits next to her sister for a radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. On the broadcast, her first, she said that England's children were full of cheerfulness and courage.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
A 14-year-old Elizabeth, right, sits next to her sister for a radio broadcast on October 13, 1940. On the broadcast, her first, she said that England's children were full of cheerfulness and courage.
Hide Caption
7 of 66
Princess Elizabeth shakes hands with an officer of the Grenadier Guards on May 29, 1942. King George VI made Elizabeth an honorary colonel in the Royal Army regiment.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth shakes hands with an officer of the Grenadier Guards on May 29, 1942. King George VI made Elizabeth an honorary colonel in the Royal Army regiment.
Hide Caption
8 of 66
Elizabeth, right, and Princess Margaret wear summer dresses circa 1942. Margaret is Elizabeth's only sibling.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth, right, and Princess Margaret wear summer dresses circa 1942. Margaret is Elizabeth's only sibling.
Hide Caption
9 of 66
With the Drakensberg Mountains behind her, Princess Elizabeth sits in South Africa's Natal National Park on April 21, 1947. It was her 21st birthday.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
With the Drakensberg Mountains behind her, Princess Elizabeth sits in South Africa's Natal National Park on April 21, 1947. It was her 21st birthday.
Hide Caption
10 of 66
On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth wed Prince Philip, a lieutenant in the British Navy who had been born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. After becoming a British citizen and renouncing his Greek title, Philip became His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His wife became the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
On November 20, 1947, Elizabeth wed Prince Philip, a lieutenant in the British Navy who had been born into the royal families of Greece and Denmark. After becoming a British citizen and renouncing his Greek title, Philip became His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. His wife became the Duchess of Edinburgh.
Hide Caption
11 of 66
Princess Elizabeth arrives at a state banquet in London in March 1950.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Princess Elizabeth arrives at a state banquet in London in March 1950.
Hide Caption
12 of 66
Elizabeth ascended to the throne in February 1952, when her father died of lung cancer at the age of 56. Here, she walks to the altar during her coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth ascended to the throne in February 1952, when her father died of lung cancer at the age of 56. Here, she walks to the altar during her coronation ceremony on June 2, 1953.
Hide Caption
13 of 66
Queen Elizabeth II is photographed on the balcony of Melbourne's Government House during her tour of Australia in March 1954.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II is photographed on the balcony of Melbourne's Government House during her tour of Australia in March 1954.
Hide Caption
14 of 66
From left, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother visit Epsom Downs Racecourse in June 1958.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
From left, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth II and the Queen Mother visit Epsom Downs Racecourse in June 1958.
Hide Caption
15 of 66
The Queen holds her son Prince Andrew while his sister, Princess Anne, watches during a family holiday at Scotland's Balmoral Castle in September 1960. The Queen has four children, including sons Charles and Edward.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen holds her son Prince Andrew while his sister, Princess Anne, watches during a family holiday at Scotland's Balmoral Castle in September 1960. The Queen has four children, including sons Charles and Edward.
Hide Caption
16 of 66
Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the state opening of Parliament in April 1966.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II is seen during the state opening of Parliament in April 1966.
Hide Caption
17 of 66
Queen Elizabeth II with her oldest son, Prince Charles, in 1969. Charles is next in line for the throne.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II with her oldest son, Prince Charles, in 1969. Charles is next in line for the throne.
Hide Caption
18 of 66
Prince Charles adjusts his coronet during his investiture ceremony as Prince of Wales in 1969.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Charles adjusts his coronet during his investiture ceremony as Prince of Wales in 1969.
Hide Caption
19 of 66
The Queen and Prince Philip wave from a plane ramp shortly before taking off from Tokyo in May 1975.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen and Prince Philip wave from a plane ramp shortly before taking off from Tokyo in May 1975.
Hide Caption
20 of 66
The Queen takes a portrait at Windsor Castle for her 50th birthday on April 21, 1976.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen takes a portrait at Windsor Castle for her 50th birthday on April 21, 1976.
Hide Caption
21 of 66
The Queen meets the crowds during her royal tour of New Zealand in 1977.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen meets the crowds during her royal tour of New Zealand in 1977.
Hide Caption
22 of 66
Elizabeth walks with some of her corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials in May 1980.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth walks with some of her corgis at the Windsor Horse Trials in May 1980.
Hide Caption
23 of 66
The Queen stands next to Prince Charles as he kisses his new bride, Princess Diana, on July 29, 1981.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen stands next to Prince Charles as he kisses his new bride, Princess Diana, on July 29, 1981.
Hide Caption
24 of 66
Elizabeth takes pictures of her husband during a horse show in Windsor in May 1982.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth takes pictures of her husband during a horse show in Windsor in May 1982.
Hide Caption
25 of 66
Elizabeth drives her Land Rover during the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 1992.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth drives her Land Rover during the Royal Windsor Horse Show in May 1992.
Hide Caption
26 of 66
While at Buckingham Palace, the Queen and Prince Philip view the floral tributes to Princess Diana after her tragic death in 1997.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
While at Buckingham Palace, the Queen and Prince Philip view the floral tributes to Princess Diana after her tragic death in 1997.
Hide Caption
27 of 66
The Queen addresses the nation on the night before Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen addresses the nation on the night before Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.
Hide Caption
28 of 66
Prince Charles looks back at his mother after wedding Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in April 2005.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Charles looks back at his mother after wedding Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in April 2005.
Hide Caption
29 of 66
The Queen arrives at St Paul's Cathedral for a Thanksgiving service in honor of her 80th birthday in 2006.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen arrives at St Paul's Cathedral for a Thanksgiving service in honor of her 80th birthday in 2006.
Hide Caption
30 of 66
The Queen, second from right, greets a crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in April 2011. Her grandson Prince William, third from left, had just married Catherine Middleton.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen, second from right, greets a crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace in April 2011. Her grandson Prince William, third from left, had just married Catherine Middleton.
Hide Caption
31 of 66
The Queen's signature is seen in the visitors book at Aras An Uachtarain, the Irish President's official residence in Dublin in May 2011.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen's signature is seen in the visitors book at Aras An Uachtarain, the Irish President's official residence in Dublin in May 2011.
Hide Caption
32 of 66
Madame Tussauds London reveals a wax figure of the Queen in May 2012.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Madame Tussauds London reveals a wax figure of the Queen in May 2012.
Hide Caption
33 of 66
Prince Charles kisses his mother's hand on stage as singer Paul McCartney, far right, looks on at the Diamond Jubilee concert in June 2012. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations marked Elizabeth's 60th anniversary as Queen.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Charles kisses his mother's hand on stage as singer Paul McCartney, far right, looks on at the Diamond Jubilee concert in June 2012. The Diamond Jubilee celebrations marked Elizabeth's 60th anniversary as Queen.
Hide Caption
34 of 66
The Queen tours the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London in December 2012.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen tours the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London in December 2012.
Hide Caption
35 of 66
A boy in Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes a selfie in front of the Queen in June 2014.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
A boy in Belfast, Northern Ireland, takes a selfie in front of the Queen in June 2014.
Hide Caption
36 of 66
The Queen enters the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle after attending a commemorative service for the Scottish National War Memorial in July 2014.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen enters the Great Hall at Edinburgh Castle after attending a commemorative service for the Scottish National War Memorial in July 2014.
Hide Caption
37 of 66
The Queen waits to give her speech during the state opening of Parliament in May 2015.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen waits to give her speech during the state opening of Parliament in May 2015.
Hide Caption
38 of 66
Elizabeth listens to her great-grandson, Prince George, outside a church where George's sister, Charlotte, was being christened in July 2015. George and Charlotte are the children of Prince William, left, and Duchess Catherine.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth listens to her great-grandson, Prince George, outside a church where George's sister, Charlotte, was being christened in July 2015. George and Charlotte are the children of Prince William, left, and Duchess Catherine.
Hide Caption
39 of 66
The Queen is seated at her desk in her private audience room at Buckingham Palace in July 2015. She is seen with one of her official red boxes, which contains important papers from government ministers in the United Kingdom and from representatives across the Commonwealth and beyond. The photo was taken to mark the moment the Queen became the longest-reigning British monarch.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen is seated at her desk in her private audience room at Buckingham Palace in July 2015. She is seen with one of her official red boxes, which contains important papers from government ministers in the United Kingdom and from representatives across the Commonwealth and beyond. The photo was taken to mark the moment the Queen became the longest-reigning British monarch.
Hide Caption
40 of 66
The Queen takes a photo with five of her great-grandchildren and her two youngest grandchildren in April 2016.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen takes a photo with five of her great-grandchildren and her two youngest grandchildren in April 2016.
Hide Caption
41 of 66
The Queen poses with four of her dogs on the private grounds of Windsor Castle in April 2016.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen poses with four of her dogs on the private grounds of Windsor Castle in April 2016.
Hide Caption
42 of 66
The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests in London who were attending celebrations for her 90th birthday in 2016.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen and Prince Philip wave to guests in London who were attending celebrations for her 90th birthday in 2016.
Hide Caption
43 of 66
Elizabeth speaks to Evie Mills, 14, at a hospital in Manchester, England, in May 2017. Evie was injured in a bombing that took place as people left an Ariana Grande concert.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth speaks to Evie Mills, 14, at a hospital in Manchester, England, in May 2017. Evie was injured in a bombing that took place as people left an Ariana Grande concert.
Hide Caption
44 of 66
The Queen sits at a desk in Buckingham Palace after recording her Christmas Day broadcast in 2017.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen sits at a desk in Buckingham Palace after recording her Christmas Day broadcast in 2017.
Hide Caption
45 of 66
The Queen arrives for the wedding of her grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen arrives for the wedding of her grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in May 2018.
Hide Caption
46 of 66
The Queen laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a bridge-opening ceremony in Halton, England, in June 2018. It was Meghan's first royal outing without her husband, Prince Harry, by her side.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen laughs with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a bridge-opening ceremony in Halton, England, in June 2018. It was Meghan's first royal outing without her husband, Prince Harry, by her side.
Hide Caption
47 of 66
The Queen and US President Donald Trump inspect a guard of honor during <a href="https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2018/07/politics/trump-europe-trip-cnnphotos/" target="_blank">Trump's visit to Windsor Castle</a> in July 2018.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen and US President Donald Trump inspect a guard of honor during Trump's visit to Windsor Castle in July 2018.
Hide Caption
48 of 66
The Queen looks at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2019/05/08/uk/gallery/archie-royal-baby-harry-meghan/index.html" target="_blank">her new great-grandchild, Archie,</a> in May 2019. Archie is the first child of Prince Harry, second from left, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Prince Philip is on the far left. Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, is next to her at right.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen looks at her new great-grandchild, Archie, in May 2019. Archie is the first child of Prince Harry, second from left, and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. Prince Philip is on the far left. Meghan's mother, Doria Ragland, is next to her at right.
Hide Caption
49 of 66
The Queen welcomes Boris Johnson at Buckingham Palace, where she formally invited him to become prime minister in July 2019. Johnson <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/23/uk/boris-johnson-prime-minister-uk-gbr-intl/index.html" target="_blank">won the UK's Conservative Party leadership contest</a> and replaced Theresa May, who was forced into resigning after members of her Cabinet lost confidence in her inability to secure the UK's departure from the European Union.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen welcomes Boris Johnson at Buckingham Palace, where she formally invited him to become prime minister in July 2019. Johnson won the UK's Conservative Party leadership contest and replaced Theresa May, who was forced into resigning after members of her Cabinet lost confidence in her inability to secure the UK's departure from the European Union.
Hide Caption
50 of 66
An image of the Queen appears in London's Piccadilly Square, alongside a message of hope from her <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/04/05/uk/queen-elizabeth-ii-coronavirus-address-gbr-intl/index.html" target="_blank">special address to the nation</a> in April 2020.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
An image of the Queen appears in London's Piccadilly Square, alongside a message of hope from her special address to the nation in April 2020.
Hide Caption
51 of 66
The Queen <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/06/01/uk/uk-queen-elizabeth-horse-riding-gbr-intl-scli/index.html" target="_blank">rides a horse </a>in Windsor, England, in May 2020. It was her first public appearance since the coronavirus lockdown began in the United Kingdom.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen rides a horse in Windsor, England, in May 2020. It was her first public appearance since the coronavirus lockdown began in the United Kingdom.
Hide Caption
52 of 66
The Queen and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/05/world/gallery/prince-philip/index.html" target="_blank">Prince Philip</a> pose for a photo in June 2020, ahead of Philip's 99th birthday.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen and Prince Philip pose for a photo in June 2020, ahead of Philip's 99th birthday.
Hide Caption
53 of 66
The Queen and Prince Philip look at a homemade anniversary card that was given to them by their great-grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in November 2020.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen and Prince Philip look at a homemade anniversary card that was given to them by their great-grandchildren Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in November 2020.
Hide Caption
54 of 66
The Queen takes her seat alone at <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2021/04/17/uk/gallery/prince-philip-funeral/index.html" target="_blank">Prince Philip's funeral</a> in April 2021. The ceremony was limited to 30 people, in line with England's coronavirus restrictions.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen takes her seat alone at Prince Philip's funeral in April 2021. The ceremony was limited to 30 people, in line with England's coronavirus restrictions.
Hide Caption
55 of 66
The Queen opens Parliament in May 2021. It was <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/11/uk/queens-speech-2021-scli-gbr-intl/index.html" target="_blank">her first major engagement since her husband's death.</a>
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen opens Parliament in May 2021. It was her first major engagement since her husband's death.
Hide Caption
56 of 66
The Queen receives a Duke of Edinburgh rose from Keith Weed, president of the Royal Horticultural Society, in June 2021. The newly bred rose was officially named in honor of Prince Philip.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen receives a Duke of Edinburgh rose from Keith Weed, president of the Royal Horticultural Society, in June 2021. The newly bred rose was officially named in honor of Prince Philip.
Hide Caption
57 of 66
The Queen <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/13/politics/president-biden-g7-day-3/index.html" target="_blank">meets with US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden</a> in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle in June 2021.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen meets with US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in the Grand Corridor of Windsor Castle in June 2021.
Hide Caption
58 of 66
The Queen drives her Range Rover as she attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor, England, in July 2021.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen drives her Range Rover as she attends the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Windsor, England, in July 2021.
Hide Caption
59 of 66
The Queen attends the Royal Windsor Cup polo match and a carriage-driving display by the British Driving Society in July 2021.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen attends the Royal Windsor Cup polo match and a carriage-driving display by the British Driving Society in July 2021.
Hide Caption
60 of 66
The Queen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, greet guests during a Windsor Castle reception for international business and investment leaders in October 2021.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, left, greet guests during a Windsor Castle reception for international business and investment leaders in October 2021.
Hide Caption
61 of 66
The Queen cuts a cake to celebrate the start of her <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/09/uk/queen-elizabeth-ii-platinum-jubilee-intl-scli-gbr/index.html" target="_blank">Platinum Jubilee</a> in February 2022. It has been 70 years since <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2022/02/05/europe/gallery/queen-elizabeth-ii-reign-begins/index.html" target="_blank">the Queen took the throne</a> in 1952.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen cuts a cake to celebrate the start of her Platinum Jubilee in February 2022. It has been 70 years since the Queen took the throne in 1952.
Hide Caption
62 of 66
The Queen meets with Rear Admiral James Macleod, the outgoing Defence Services secretary, and Macleod's successor, Major General Eldon Millar, at Windsor Castle in February 2022. It was a few days before Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/20/uk/queen-elizabeth-coronavirus-intl-gbr/index.html" target="_blank">tested positive for Covid-19.</a>
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen meets with Rear Admiral James Macleod, the outgoing Defence Services secretary, and Macleod's successor, Major General Eldon Millar, at Windsor Castle in February 2022. It was a few days before Buckingham Palace announced that the Queen tested positive for Covid-19.
Hide Caption
63 of 66
The Queen purchases a train ticket as she attends <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/queen-elizabeth-train-line-london-intl-scli-gbr/index.html" target="_blank">the opening ceremony of the long-awaited Elizabeth line</a> at the Paddington station in west London in May 2022. She had recently been suffering from mobility issues, canceling several appearances.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen purchases a train ticket as she attends the opening ceremony of the long-awaited Elizabeth line at the Paddington station in west London in May 2022. She had recently been suffering from mobility issues, canceling several appearances.
Hide Caption
64 of 66
The Queen watches the Trooping the Colour parade in London during her <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2022/06/02/uk/gallery/queen-elizabeth-platinum-jubilee/index.html" target="_blank">Platinum Jubilee celebrations</a> in June 2022. She is the first British sovereign to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee -- 70 years on the throne. "I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee," the Queen said in a released statement. "While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family."
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen watches the Trooping the Colour parade in London during her Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. She is the first British sovereign to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee -- 70 years on the throne. "I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee," the Queen said in a released statement. "While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family."
Hide Caption
65 of 66
The Queen welcomes <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/05/uk/gallery/liz-truss/index.html" target="_blank">Liz Truss</a> at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, formally inviting her to be the new prime minister in September 2022. The meeting would traditionally have taken place at London's Buckingham Palace, but the monarch has significantly reduced her duties and travel in recent months because of her mobility issues.
Photos: The life of Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen welcomes Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, formally inviting her to be the new prime minister in September 2022. The meeting would traditionally have taken place at London's Buckingham Palace, but the monarch has significantly reduced her duties and travel in recent months because of her mobility issues.
Hide Caption
66 of 66
queen elizabeth ii UNF02 queen elizabeth ii unfurled03 queen elizabeth ii unfurled04 queen elizabeth ii unfurled05 queen elizabeth ii unfurled06 queen elizabeth ii unfurled07 queen elizabeth ii unfurled08 queen elizabeth ii unfurled09 queen elizabeth ii unfurled10 queen elizabeth ii unfurled11 queen elizabeth ii unfurled12 queen elizabeth ii unfurled13 queen elizabeth ii unfurled14 queen elizabeth ii unfurled15 queen elizabeth ii unfurled16 queen elizabeth ii unfurled17 queen elizabeth ii unfurled18 queen elizabeth ii unfurled19 queen elizabeth ii unfurled20 queen elizabeth ii unfurled21 queen elizabeth ii unfurled22 queen elizabeth ii unfurled23 queen elizabeth ii unfurled24 queen elizabeth ii unfurled25 queen elizabeth ii unfurled26 queen elizabeth ii unfurled27 queen elizabeth ii unfurled28 queen elizabeth ii unfurled29 queen elizabeth ii unfurled08 Queen Elizabeth LEAD 2006 RESTRICTED30 queen elizabeth ii unfurled31 queen elizabeth ii unfurled32 queen elizabeth ii unfurled33 queen elizabeth ii unfurled34 queen elizabeth ii unfurled35 queen elizabeth ii unfurled36 queen elizabeth ii unfurled37 queen elizabeth ii unfurled38 queen elizabeth ii unfurled04 Queen Elizabeth LEAD 2015queen elizabeth grandkids FILE 2016queen elizabeth dogs FILE 2016 RESTRICTED39 queen elizabeth ii unfurled40 queen elizabeth ii unfurled41 queen elizabeth ii unfurled78 royal wedding QUEENmeghan queen elizabeth FILE 201832 trump galleryQueen Archieboris johnson queen elizabeth FILE 2019QEII unfurled 04182020queen elizabeth horse ride 0530Queen Elizabeth Prince Philip June 2020 RESTRICTEDQueen Eliabeth Prince Philip 73rd anniversary34b prince philip funeral UNF05 queen parliament speech01 queen elizabeth Duke of Edinburgh rose 060904 joe biden queen elizabeth 06 13 2021Queen Elizabeth Range Rover 0702 RESTRICTEDQueen Elizabeth 071121 RESTRICTED01 queen elizabeth 101901 week in photos 0210Queen Elizabeth 02162204 week in photos 051901 queen elizabeth II jubilee balcony 0602truss queen

Story highlights

  • Queen Elizabeth: "A long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception"
  • She has been on the throne for 63 years and 216 days

London (CNN)Queen Elizabeth II has thanked people from around the world for their messages of "great kindness" as she marked the day she becomes the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Already the country's longest-lived monarch and the world's oldest-serving sovereign, Elizabeth will pass the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria around teatime Wednesday after 63 years and 216 days on the throne.
    While there were no official engagements to mark the occasion, the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, were in Scotland for the opening of the new Scottish Borders Railway, running from Edinburgh to Tweedbank.
      Queen Elizabeth unveils new Scottish railway
      queen elizabeth railway unveiling_00005922

        JUST WATCHED

        Queen Elizabeth unveils new Scottish railway

      Replay
      More Videos ...

      MUST WATCH

      Queen Elizabeth unveils new Scottish railway 01:31
      Cheers and applause greeted the monarch as she unveiled a plaque for the railway and noted "another significance" in a short address.
      But she was characteristically unwilling to dwell on her achievement, saying simply: "Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception.
      Read More
      "But I thank you all, and the many others at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness."
        Elizabeth and Victoria: Two queens, two worlds

        Cameron: 'Historic milestone'

        Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the Queen in an address to the UK Parliament.
        "It is of course typical of her selfless sense of service that she would have us treat this day just like any other," he said.
        The world's longest-serving monarchs
        The world's longest-serving monarchs

          JUST WATCHED

          The world's longest-serving monarchs

        Replay
        More Videos ...

        MUST WATCH

        The world's longest-serving monarchs 01:23
        "But Mr. Speaker, while I rarely advocate disobeying Her Majesty -- least of all in her own Parliament, I do think it is right that today we should stop and take a moment as a nation to mark this historic milestone and to thank Her Majesty for the extraordinary service that she has given to our country over more than six decades."
        The queen has worked with 12 prime ministers in the course of her long reign, Cameron pointed out, and has "met more people than any other monarch in history."
        Her rule, extending through decades of enormous change around the world, has also seen 12 U.S. presidents and seven popes in office.
        The nation should be proud of its monarch, Cameron said. "She has served this country with unerring grace, dignity and decency, and long may she continue to do so."
          As well as ruling the United Kingdom, Elizabeth is head of state of 15 other Commonwealth nations, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
          Opinion: Why Queen Elizabeth II is unsinkable