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Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest-reigning UK monarch Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest-reigning UK monarch
(35 minutes later)
Cheering crowds have greeted the Queen in Edinburgh on the day she becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch.Cheering crowds have greeted the Queen in Edinburgh on the day she becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch.
Bad weather delayed her arrival at Waverley Station, but the 89-year-old monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh have now set off on the new Borders Railway.Bad weather delayed her arrival at Waverley Station, but the 89-year-old monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh have now set off on the new Borders Railway.
The Queen will have reigned for 63 years and seven months - calculated at 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes at about 17:30 BST.The Queen will have reigned for 63 years and seven months - calculated at 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes at about 17:30 BST.
David Cameron said the service she had given was "truly humbling".David Cameron said the service she had given was "truly humbling".
Dressed in turquoise with her trusty black handbag at her side, the Queen smiled and waved to those gathered at the station on the day she passes the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.Dressed in turquoise with her trusty black handbag at her side, the Queen smiled and waved to those gathered at the station on the day she passes the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria.
In the day's main events:In the day's main events:
The exact moment the Queen becomes the longest-reigning sovereign is not known because her father, George VI, passed away in the early hours of 6 February 1952.The exact moment the Queen becomes the longest-reigning sovereign is not known because her father, George VI, passed away in the early hours of 6 February 1952.
Her Majesty's MilestoneHer Majesty's Milestone
Business in the Commons was postponed for half an hour so that MPs, led by Mr Cameron, could pay tribute to the Queen.Business in the Commons was postponed for half an hour so that MPs, led by Mr Cameron, could pay tribute to the Queen.
The prime minster said she had been a "rock of stability" in an era when so much had changed, and her reign had been the "golden thread running through three post-war generations".The prime minster said she had been a "rock of stability" in an era when so much had changed, and her reign had been the "golden thread running through three post-war generations".
He said it was "typical of Queen's selfless sense of service" that she thinks today should be a normal day.He said it was "typical of Queen's selfless sense of service" that she thinks today should be a normal day.
Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said it was "no exaggeration" to say the Queen was "admired by billions of people all around the world".Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said it was "no exaggeration" to say the Queen was "admired by billions of people all around the world".
Ministers are to present the Queen with a bound copy of cabinet papers from the meeting in 1952 when Sir Winston Churchill's government approved the content of her first Queen's Speech.Ministers are to present the Queen with a bound copy of cabinet papers from the meeting in 1952 when Sir Winston Churchill's government approved the content of her first Queen's Speech.
Analysis At the scene: The BBC's Philip Sim
By BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell Some had come to Edinburgh from as far afield as Australia and Canada in the hope of catching a glimpse of the monarch on her historic day.
It will be day 23,226 of her reign. The Queen is determined that it should in no way be exceptional. There was a festival atmosphere at the station, with a guard of honour on the platform, a pipe band performing, a chocolate model of the Flying Scotsman on display and everything from railings to dogs bedecked with Union flags.
She has let it be known with some emphasis that she does not want a fuss to be made. There were cheers and cries of "congratulations" from the crowd as the Queen stepped out of her car and was greeted by the First Minister.
It is evidently viewed as bad form for one long-lived queen to be seen in any way to be celebrating the passing of a record set by another long-lived queen. After a quick wave to the crowds, the royal couple climbed aboard the train, and amid a puff of steam and blast of the whistle were off on a landmark journey to the Borders.
But of course that is precisely why 9 September 2015 is notable in its way. Elizabeth II will become the longest-reigning monarch in British history, passing the record set by her great-great-grandmother Victoria. Buckingham Palace has released two official photographs to mark the occasion, taken by Mary McCartney in the Queen's private audience room.
And in an institution as old as the monarchy, that is a rather striking measure to add to the other memorable features of her reign.
She may not want there to be a fuss but it would seem that a good number of British citizens, to say nothing of those from further afield, believe that her record-breaking reign deserves a little recognition.
A constant amid gale-force changes
Buckingham Palace has released an official photograph to mark the occasion, taken by Mary McCartney in the Queen's private audience room.
This is where she holds weekly audiences with prime ministers of the day, and receives visiting heads of state and government.This is where she holds weekly audiences with prime ministers of the day, and receives visiting heads of state and government.
The Queen is taking her traditional summer break at this time of year at her private Scottish home, Balmoral.The Queen is taking her traditional summer break at this time of year at her private Scottish home, Balmoral.
Queens of the modern ageQueens of the modern age
Elizabeth and Victoria in numbersElizabeth and Victoria in numbers
Elizabeth II: Britain's Diamond QueenElizabeth II: Britain's Diamond Queen
Woman who redefined the monarchyWoman who redefined the monarchy
Queen Victoria became queen at the age of 18 and ruled for 63 years, seven months and two days.Queen Victoria became queen at the age of 18 and ruled for 63 years, seven months and two days.
Queen Elizabeth's reign has included 12 prime ministers, two more than served under Victoria.Queen Elizabeth's reign has included 12 prime ministers, two more than served under Victoria.
One of those prime ministers, Conservative Sir John Major, rejected any suggestion the Queen had been too passive as head of state: "The monarchy wouldn't be as popular if they were part of politics - they're above and beyond it.One of those prime ministers, Conservative Sir John Major, rejected any suggestion the Queen had been too passive as head of state: "The monarchy wouldn't be as popular if they were part of politics - they're above and beyond it.
"But when the Queen meets her prime minister she has the opportunity to question, to ask, to counsel. Nobody knows and no prime minister is going to tell you exactly what happens at those meetings. So those who say she's been too passive, how can they possibly know?""But when the Queen meets her prime minister she has the opportunity to question, to ask, to counsel. Nobody knows and no prime minister is going to tell you exactly what happens at those meetings. So those who say she's been too passive, how can they possibly know?"
'Genuinely exceptional''Genuinely exceptional'
The Queen is Head of the Commonwealth and sovereign of 15 Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK, and the organisation's Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, sent his congratulations.The Queen is Head of the Commonwealth and sovereign of 15 Commonwealth realms in addition to the UK, and the organisation's Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, sent his congratulations.
"As a symbol of continuity during decades of unprecedented change, and by drawing our people together in their rich diversity, Her Majesty has embodied all that is best in the Commonwealth," he said."As a symbol of continuity during decades of unprecedented change, and by drawing our people together in their rich diversity, Her Majesty has embodied all that is best in the Commonwealth," he said.
"With vision and dedication her example has encouraged successive generations of leaders and citizens to embrace the promise of the future.""With vision and dedication her example has encouraged successive generations of leaders and citizens to embrace the promise of the future."
Anti-monarchist group Republic said the Queen's long reign was a reason for reform not celebration.Anti-monarchist group Republic said the Queen's long reign was a reason for reform not celebration.
Chief executive Graham Smith said: "It is now time for the country to look to the future and to choose a successor through free and fair elections, someone who can genuinely represent the nation."Chief executive Graham Smith said: "It is now time for the country to look to the future and to choose a successor through free and fair elections, someone who can genuinely represent the nation."