Queen Elizabeth Makes Royal History

She becomes longest-tenured monarch in British history
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 8, 2015 6:18 PM CDT
Updated Sep 9, 2015 6:53 AM CDT
Queen Elizabeth Will Break Historic Record Tomorrow
Queen Elizabeth II will officially become the queen of being queen tomorrow.   (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File)

Queen Elizabeth II is now the longest-tenured monarch in British history, surpassing her great-great-grandmother Victoria's 23,226 days, 16 hours, and 23 minutes as queen sometime around 5:30pm local time, reports the BBC. The time is approximate because no one is actually sure when regular Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth. There are no gaps between British monarchs, so Elizabeth became queen as soon as her father King George VI died. However, he died in his sleep, and no one is quite sure exactly when he passed, explains Time.

Maclean's reports Britain rang church bells and lit bonfires to celebrate Queen Victoria's record-setting reign, but Elizabeth's day is being celebrated in more low-key fashion. "The event is important and unprecedented; just don't expect a big party," Maclean's states. Still, a flotilla of boats on the Thames was marking the occasion, and crowds cheered the queen when she appeared in public. (More Queen Elizabeth II stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X