It’s good to be… Queen!

Queen Elizabeth and the Buckingham Palace.

Long live the Queen – and oh, has she ever!

2006 Great Britain Queen Elizabeth II 80th Birthday Crown

Elizabeth II will soon celebrate her 90th birthday (she became Britain’s oldest monarch in 2007). And although she’s formally saluted around the globe, her eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren affectionately call her “Granny.”

During the course of her rule, she’s seen the end of sweet rationing following the war, Beatlemania, flight of the Concorde, the debut of the Euro, plus the tenure of 12 Prime Ministers. Her reign has been peppered with unprecedented technological advancements – she was the first British monarch to send an email and put a message on the moon.

According to Guinness World Records, she holds the record for appearing on the highest number of world currencies! And now, adding to her list of achievements, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-reigning British monarch in history on September 9.

1953 New Zealand Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Crown

Of course, those “in the know” have already figured the length of each monarch’s reign, right down to the minute. The previous record-holder was Elizabeth’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria – the epitome (and namesake) of the lavish Victorian era. She ascended to the throne in June of 1837 at age 18. Over the course of the next 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes (aka, 63 years and 7 months), her empire expanded tremendously, giving rise to the saying “the sun never sets on the British Empire”. She and her beloved husband, Albert, purchased Balmoral Castle in Scotland (currently the queen’s private residence) in 1852.

Albert’s passing in 1861 sent Victoria into a depression. From then on, she was rarely seen in public – and when she was, she wore only black. But she never neglected her duties, and her successful reign continued until 1901.

1967 Canada 1 Dollar Bank Note, P84a, Queen Elizabeth II

Now, more than a century later, this powerful figurehead’s great-great-granddaughter has surpassed that monumental period of leadership. And yet, when the moment arrived, it did so without official fanfare, pomp or circumstance. Time marched on, the queen became the longest-serving monarch of the realm… and the only marks left for history were private celebrations and the editing of web pages everywhere. This was by the queen’s design – out of respect for Victoria’s reign (and following the precedent set by her when she passed the rule of George III in 1896), Elizabeth specifically requested no celebrations for her special moment.

Instead, Queen Elizabeth II passed this moment much like the last woman who achieved it – at home in Balmoral Castle, spending a quiet day with her family. It was an occasion fit for a queen!