Today marks a historic occasion for the U.K., as Queen Elizabeth II will officially became the longest-reigning monarch in the country’s history.
The Queen is set to break the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria at around 5:30 p.m. BST today, notes The BBC. She has been on the throne for 63 years and seven months.
The monarchy first marked the occasion on Facebook, noting that Queen Victoria, who reigned from 1837-1901, was the first monarch to travel on a train. Therefore, it’s only fair that Queen Elizabeth and The Duke of Edinburgh spend today at the opening celebrations for the Scottish Borders Railway.
“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 of great kindness,” the Queen said in a short speech at the ceremony.
“The reign of Queen Elizabeth has been a golden thread running through three post-war generations, and she's presided over more than two thirds of our history as a full democracy with everyone being able to vote,” Prime Minister David Cameron said today. “Her selfless sense of service and duty have earned her unparalleled respect and admiration not only in Britain but around the world.”
Queen Elizabeth, 89, has been Queen since 1952, after the death of her father, King George VI. Her son, Prince Charles, 66, already holds the record as the longest-serving heir to the throne.
image courtesy of INFphoto.com