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It's Official, Queen Elizabeth II Is UK's Longest-Reigning Monarch

She has been on the throne for over 63 years and 216 days

Sep 9, 2015 21:59 GMT  ·  By
Queen Elizabeth II
   Queen Elizabeth II

Just hours ago, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the British royalty. At 5:30 p.m., she surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who was crowned on June 20, 1837, and who reigned until her death on January 22, 1901, clocking in 63 years and 216 days. 

Queen Elizabeth II, now 89 years old, was crowned on February 6, 1952, following the demise of her father, King George VI, who died in his sleep at the age of 56.

Her reign has spanned 12 British Prime Ministers. Since taking the throne, she's met with 12 US Presidents and she's been on official visits to over 100 countries. She's witnessed the invention of television, the first time man set foot on the Moon, and the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall. So, yes, it's been some pretty good decades, inevitable lows aside.

“Inevitably, a long life can pass by many milestones; my own is no exception,” Queen Elizabeth II said in a speech. “I thank you all, and the many others at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness,” she went on to add.

It was business as usual on this very big day

Rather than make a big fuss about becoming the UK's longest-reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II stuck to her usual routine. Together with her husband, Prince Phillip, she went on a visit to Scotland to mark the opening of a new rail line, the Scottish Borders Railway.

Having arrived at Waverly Station in Edinburgh, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip got on another train taking them to a village in the South of Scotland, The Guardian informs. This evening, they were to dine with Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire.

Now, it might be that Queen Elizabeth II didn't want to make a fuss over becoming the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the British royalty, but regular folks online simply couldn't let the day go by without congratulating her in their own way. Here's what they had to say.