Today Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in British history, having reigned for 63 years and 7 months (23,226 days!). In typically restrained English fashion, the Queen remarked that “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” (BBC).
Long-Lived Queens Elizabeth II and Victoria. Image taken from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34177107
Those interested in celebrations of Elizabeth and the British monarchy may want to check out the website of the British Monarchist Society and Foundation. Of course, not everyone is thrilled with the British monarchy. The anti-monarchist republican organization, Republic, is taking the opportunity to call for constitutional reform. The BBC quotes Republic chief executive Graham Smith as saying that “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.”
See “Queen Elizabeth II becomes longest-reigning UK monarch,” BBC News, September 9, 2015, accessed September 9, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-34177107.
AQ British History II Class Blog 