Queen Elizabeth marks longest UK reign ever

by Michael Sercan Daventry

LONDON

 Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II became the longest serving monarch in her country’s history on Wednesday, surpassing the record set by her great-grandmother.

The 89-year-old monarch, who is head of state to 16 countries including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, will have reigned for 63 years and 7 months since coming to the throne after the death of her father in 1952.

She surpasses Queen Victoria, who reigned over the peak of the British Empire between 1837 and 1901.

The landmark highlights a reign over a remarkable period in world history, beginning when Britain’s prime minister was Winston Churchill, Harry Truman was coming to the end of his term as U.S. president and Joseph Stalin was the Soviet Union leader.

Turkey at the time was two years into the Democrat Party government led by Adnan Menderes.

In the years that followed, Queen Elizabeth outlasted 12 U.K. prime ministers, 11 U.S. presidents and six popes.

David Cameron, the U.K. prime minister, told a meeting of ministers on Tuesday that the Queen had a “remarkable record” and was “a symbol of Britain's enduring spirit admired around the world”.

"Over the last 63 years, Her Majesty has been a rock of stability in a world of constant change and her selfless sense of service and duty has earned admiration not only in Britain, but right across the globe," he said. "It is only right that today we should celebrate her extraordinary record, as well as the grace and dignity with which she serves our country."

Elizabeth has been reported to insist on keeping celebrations to a minimum, but the occasion will nonetheless be marked by a flotilla of boats along London’s River Thames and a four-gun salute. The bells of Westminster Abbey will also ring for 50 minutes.

A special silver coin, worth 20 pounds ($30.75), is set to be unveiled, while a special walkway made of special stones to mark each of the 63 years of her reign will be opened near the royal residence at Windsor Castle.

The Queen will spend the day conducting her regular official duties as she attends the opening of a railway near Scotland’s border with England, although she is expected to briefly acknowledge “her remarkable life”, the Daily Telegraph reported.

But the milestone was not received with universal acclaim in Britain.

Republic, the group that campaigns for the abolition of the British Monarchy, said the fact that Elizabeth was now the longest reigning monarch was a reminder of the need for democratic reform in the U.K., not a cause for celebration.

“Keeping a job-for-life for life is not an achievement and instead reflects real need for radical democratic reform,” the group said.