Even after breaking a record Queen Elizabeth remains dignified and gracious as she becomes Britain’s longest serving Monarch without fuss or fanfare.
63 years and 216 days is a long time in the same job, but for Queen Elizabeth it’s just another day in the office, the only difference being a stunning new portrait of Her Majesty has been released by Buckingham Palace to mark the occasion.
The intimate photograph depicts Her Majesty going about her daily routine, while sitting at the desk in the private audience room of the Palace while reading documents she received from the official royal boxes.
In a statement, Buckingham palace explained: “In her constitutional role as Head of State, an essential element of Her Majesty’s work involves the red boxes that she has received almost every day of her reign, including weekends and holidays, but excluding Christmas Day.”
They added: “The red box contains important papers from government ministers in the United Kingdom and her Realms and from her representatives across the Commonwealth and beyond. These documents are sent from the Private Secretary’s Office to The Queen, wherever she may be in residence, in a locked red despatch box.“
The remarkable portrait was taken by Mary McCartney, the oldest biological daughter of Paul McCartney.
Royal fans have also been treated to a photographic display at the Palace and other royal homes which showcases numerous never-before-seen photos and portraits of Her Majesty and her family.
It seemed only natural that the Queen spent the historic day with the man who she’s spent her life with, Prince Philip.
Despite the 89-year-old sovereign surpassing her great-great grandmother, Victoria, as the Commonwealth’s longest-reigning head, it was important to the Queen to keep things low-key.
Queen Elizabeth requested that if the event is to be marked at all, she wanted it to be done so with respect to the Monarchs before her, reverence, zero sense of triumphalism and no hint of celebration about Victoria’s death.
Fittingly, the Royal and her husband Prince Philip spent the day in Scotland opening up a new Railway, she then returned to her home in Balmoral for dinner with her loved ones – just like Victoria did when she passed her grandfather, King George’s record.
The only acknowledgment of the historic moment from the Queen came in the formd of a few quick words as she opened the new Rail system in Scotland, “Prince Philip and I are very grateful for the warmth of your welcome on this occasion. Many including you, First Minister, have also kindly noted another significance attaching to today.”
She poignantly added: “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 overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness.”
