On September 9, Queen Elizabeth II set a new record as the longest-reigning royal in the entire 1300-year history of the monarchy!
The long-serving Queen has broken the record previously held by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who held the throne for 63 years and 217 days.
Buckingham Palace has planned a variety of celebrations to mark this milestone in the Queen’s reign, including a new range of souvenir china and a photographic exhibition. However, the hard-working royal is adamant that she “doesn’t want any fuss” and for that reason, there will be no 63-gun salute or even any special family celebrations.
However, Prince William paid a touching tribute to his 89-year-old grandmother in a new biography of the monarch, describing her as both a public and private role model.
“The Queen’s kindness and sense of humour, her innate sense of calm and perspective, and her love of family and home are all attributes I experience first-hand,” William writes.
“Time and again, the Queen has shown us that we can confidently embrace the future without compromising the things that are important.”
To celebrate the Queen’s record-breaking milestone, we take a look back at her life in pictures.
In this photo taken June 1936, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth pose for a family snapshot in the ground of Windsor Castle with the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret and their four dogs.
Photo: Studio Lisa/Getty
The family are photographed before their visit to South Africa. Photo: Gamma-Rapho via Getty
The Princesses get dressed up to take part in a pantomime at Windsor Castle in December 1944. Photo: Studio Lisa/Getty
Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten, Duke of Edinburgh, pose for an engagement photo at Buckingham Palace in 1947. Photo: Fox Photos via Getty
Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation ceremony in Westminster Abbey, June 1953. The Queen’s coronation gown was embroidered with flora from countries of the Commonwealth – including New Zealand’s silver fern. Photo: Hulton Archive via Getty
The royal family on the balcony at Buckingham Palace after Queen Elizabeth’s coronation. Photo: Fox Photos/Hulton Archive via Getty
That same year, Queen Elizabeth II would be the first reigning monarch to ever visit New Zealand. Photo: Print Collector via Getty
The Queen takes a stroll with her daughter Princess Anne and her granddaughter Zara through the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Photo: Gamma-Keystone via Getty
The Queen huddles close to her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club in Windsor. Photo: Tim Graham/Getty
The Queen honours Angelina Jolie as an ‘Honorary Dame’ during a private audience in the 1844 Room and Buckingham Palace. Photo: WPA Pool via Getty
The Queen has a chat with her great-grandson Prince George at the christening of Princess Charlotte. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty
The Queen and Prince Harry are pictured during the ‘Trooping the Colour’ celebrations in June. Photo: Getty
Prince George, held by doting dad Prince William, Duchess Catherine, the Queen, Prince Harry and Prince Philip are pictured on the balcony at Buckingham Palace during the celebrations, which officially mark the sovereign’s birthday. Photo: Getty
Queen Elizabeth II waves during a visit to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham on July 16 this year. Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty
The Queen is seen leaving the 70th anniversary of VJ Day service of commemoration at St Martin-in-the-Fields in August. Photo: Danny Martindale/WireImage
Prince Philip and the Queen at an event in Braemar, Scotland earlier this month. Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo
