Queen Elizabeth marks 65 years on Britain's throne

Queen Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning living monarch, marks her Sapphire Jubilee as Britain commemorates her 65 years on the throne.

The 90-year-old monarch, who became Britain'slongest-reigning sovereign in 2015, did not publicly celebrate theoccasion herself, but a 41-gun royal salute was fired in acentral London park to honour the landmark.

"Today's Sapphire Jubilee marks yet another remarkablemilestone for our remarkable Queen," Prime Minister Theresa Maysaid in a statement.

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"It is a testament to her selfless devotion to the nationthat she is not marking becoming the first monarch to reign for65 years with any special celebration, but instead getting onwith the job to which she has dedicated her life."

Elizabeth became Queen at age 25, on Feb. 6, 1952, followingthe death of her father, George VI, the 40th monarch in a royalline that traces its origin back to Norman King William theConqueror, who claimed the throne in 1066.

The king died in his sleepand Elizabeth was in Kenya at the time. He was the first British monarch to pass away without anyone knowing what time he died.

Gun salute in London to mark Queen's Sapphire Jubilee

8 years ago

Duration 0:44

Field guns pulled by horses set up and fired in Green Park

When she overtook her great-great-grandmotherQueenVictoria's record 63 years on the throne, she remarked it wasnot something to which she had ever aspired, and BuckinghamPalace said she would spend Monday at her residence inSandringham, in eastern England, as was usual.

However, the Queen's office released a 2014 portrait showingher wearing a suite of sapphire jewelry she received from herfather as a wedding gift in 1947.

Elizabeth has cut back on international tours, but stillregularly performs official duties around Britain and remainshugely popular with Britons, with an approval rating of about 80per cent.

In December, she said she would reduce the number of herpatronages, passing on her role at dozens of charities, academicinstitutions and sporting groups to other members of the Royal Family.

The Queen has recovered from the heavy cold that kept her out of the public eye during the holidays, and was seen Sunday greeting well-wishers during a Sunday church service.

Queen and Prince Philip attend church on Jubilee morning

8 years ago

Duration 0:40

Monarch greeted by well-wishers on anniversary of ascension to throne