After clocking her 90th last year, and breaking the record for as the longest-reigning British monarch, Queen Elizabeth has reached another milestone achievement early in 2017.
The beloved monarch is the first royal to ring in 65 years, also know as the sapphire anniversary, on the throne.
Her Majesty opted to spend the day in private, with only the fanfare of a 41-gun salute in London’s Green Park to mark the occasion, as the day also marked the 65th anniversary of her father’s death.
Buckingham Palace still made an occasion of the momentous day, by re-releasing a beautiful portrait taken by British photographer David Bailey.
The snap was originally captured in 2014, promoting Britain to the world for the GREAT campaign.
The then 88-year-old was photographed dressed in a pretty sky-blue beaded gown, and adorned in sapphire-jeweled earrings and matching necklace, which were given to her by her father King George VI in 1947 to celebrate her wedding.
Speaking of the honour of taking Her Majesty’s royal portrait, photographer Bailey mused, “She has very kind eyes with a mischievous glint”.
“I’ve always liked strong women, and she is a very strong woman.”
The Queen’s Sapphire Jubilee is also being celebrated by the issuing a new five-pound coin.
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The coin will carry one of the Queen’s most beloved quotes that she spoke nearly 70 years ago, at the age of 21.
“My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service,” the inscription reads.
Her Majesty’s low-key acknowledgement of the milestone is thought to be a reaction to the celebration falling upon the anniversary of her father’s passing. A 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth became the Queen of England in 1952 after her beloved-father King George VI died from a coronary thrombosis in his sleep at the age of 56.
The Princess was notified of the tragic happening while on a royal tour thousands of miles away in Kenya with her husband, the events of which have been made famous by Netflix drama, The Crown.
