This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-34177107
The article has changed 19 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 12 | Version 13 |
|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest-reigning UK monarch | Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest-reigning UK monarch |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Queen has thanked well-wishers at home and overseas for their "touching messages of kindness" as she becomes Britain's longest-reigning monarch. | |
| Speaking in the Scottish Borders, the 89-year-old monarch said the title was "not one to which I have ever aspired". | |
| 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 spoke briefly to the gathered crowds on the day she passes the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. | |
| She said: "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." | |
| 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 Milestone | Her 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. |
| At the scene: The BBC's Philip Sim | At the scene: The BBC's Philip Sim |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Buckingham Palace has released two official photographs to mark the occasion, taken by Mary McCartney in the Queen's private audience room. | Buckingham Palace has released two official photographs 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 age | Queens of the modern age |
| Elizabeth and Victoria in numbers | Elizabeth and Victoria in numbers |
| Elizabeth II: Britain's Diamond Queen | Elizabeth II: Britain's Diamond Queen |
| Woman who redefined the monarchy | Woman 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." |