Queen Elizabeth II will at 5:30pm officially become the longest-reigning monarch in Britain, having ruled for 63 years and seven months.
Speaking at Tweedbank station after opening the new Border Railway, the 89-year-old 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.”
But, the Queen said this record was “not one to which I have ever aspired.”
The Queen began her reign on 6 February 1952 at the age of 25 following the death of her father, King George VI, who passed away in the early hours of the morning.
This Mary McCartney photograph has been released to mark The Queen becoming the longest reigning British Monarch pic.twitter.com/ZrsUlIsB7n
— BritishMonarchy (@BritishMonarchy) September 9, 2015
Her Majesty has been a rock of stability in a world of constant change, earning admiration for her selfless sense of service & duty (2/3)
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 9, 2015
Image source: Facebook