(Reuters) –Queen Elizabeth sealed a special place in the Britain’s history by becoming its longest-reigning monarch on Wednesday (September 9), but amid warm tributes from politicians and the public, she said the landmark was not something to which she had ever aspired.
Elizabeth, 89, surpasses the 63 years, 7 months, 2 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes that her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria spent on the throne.
The occasion was marked by cheering, flag-waving crowds on the street, bells ringing out in Westminster Abbey and solemn messages in parliament but Elizabeth, who is also the nation’s oldest ever monarch, wanted little fuss.
She made only a brief reference to it in a speech as she opened a new railway line in Scotland.
Thanking the crowd for their welcome, she said: “Many, including you First Minister (of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon) have also kindly noted another significance attaching to today, although it is not one to which I have ever aspired.”
“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 at overseas – for your touching messages of great kindness.”
Initially Elizabeth did not intend to mark the event publicly at all, believing it represented little more than the fact that her father King George VI died early and that she herself has lived a long time.
But she bowed to public pressure and agreed to officially open the railway in Scotland, where she traditionally spends her summer holiday. Her second son Prince Andrew said that for her, it would be business as usual.
The queen was quick to turn her attention to the opening of the new Borders Railway, which will see seven new stations built and opened in the the Scottish Borders, one of the remotest parts of the United Kingdom.
“The Duke of Edinburgh and I are delighted to be back in the Borders today, and especially to have arrived by train,” said the queen, in front of a cheering crowd.
“It has been wonderful to witness the excitement, to which the return of the railway has brought here. The Borders Railway brings so much for promising and invigorating this most beautiful countryside, as a place to work, live and enjoy.”
It is hoped that the new railway line will reduce local resident’s reliance on cars, and therefore reduce carbon emissions, as well as widen economic and housing opportunities in the area.
Also at exactly 1730 BST (1630GMT) on Wednesday (September 9), the bells of Big Ben chimed to mark the exact moment that Queen Elizabeth II sealed a special place in Britain’s history by becoming its longest-reigning monarch.
Big Ben sits atop Elizabeth Tower, which was renamed in tribute to the monarch in her Diamond Jubilee year in 2012.
