HER Majesty let it be known that she didn’t want any kind of fuss, it was to be business as usual as personal celebrations would be disrespectful to her ancestors when the Queen became Britain’s longest reigning monarch yesterday.

At about 5.30pm on Wednesday September 9, 2015 Queen Elizabeth II had been on the throne for a total of 63 years, seven months and two days, overtaking her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

When she was just 21 the then Princess Elizabeth made the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations a solemn promise.

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we belong.”

None who heard her words at the time could have known she would go on to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Much has happened over the course of the Queen’s life. Television has been invented, man has walked on the moon for the first time and the Berlin Wall has been built and then razed to the ground.

Her Majesty’s life has seen many changes too, from fulfilling her role as Queen at the age of 25, to raising a family, to world travel on a scale unparalleled by previous monarchs.

In 2012 the Queen celebrated her diamond jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne. The landmark occasion was marked by commemorative events across the UK and Commonwealth, culminating in a weekend of celebrations in June.

Over the course of the year the Queen travelled the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, supported by other members of the royal family visiting every realm and Commonwealth country on her behalf.

The diamond jubilee weekend included a big jubilee lunch, a concert at Buckingham Palace and a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, concluding with the Queen issuing a special diamond jubilee message of thanks for “the countless kindnesses shown to me in this country and throughout the Commonwealth”.

The Queen and her family celebrated several landmarks in 2013 – the 60th anniversary of her coronation, the prince of Wales’ 65th birthday and the birth of prince George of Cambridge.

The 60th anniversary of The Queen’s coronation in June was marked with a service of celebration at Westminster Abbey, and with the coronation festival, held in the gardens of Buckingham Palace. The festival, hosted by the Royal Warrant Holders Association, brought together the very best of British innovation, excellence and industry through trade and craft.

On July 22, 2013, Buckingham Palace confirmed the Queen was ‘delighted’ at news of the birth of her third great-grandchild and the future king, prince George of Cambridge. Her majesty visited the new baby at Kensington Palace two days after his birth. His sister, princess Charlotte, arrived in May 2015.

Last year saw the 100th Anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, with the Queen attending several services to commemorate key events in the conflict throughout the year.

The Queen also led the nation in remembrance, at a service to mark 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in France.

The Queen and the duke of Edinburgh also welcomed president Michael D Higgins and Sabina Higgins to the UK in the historic first ever state visit by Ireland’s head of state, with the Queen speaking of her pride at Great Britain and Ireland “walking together towards a brighter, more settled future”.

The Queen and other members of the royal family then welcomed athletes from around the Commonwealth to the much anticipated Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with her majesty opening the games at Celtic Park in July 2014.

In July 2014 the search across the Commonwealth for the first ever Queen’s Young Leaders was launched at a reception at Buckingham Palace by the duke of Cambridge and prince Harry. In June 2015, the first winners 60 Queen’s Young Leaders received their awards from The Queen and spent a unique week training, mentoring and networking as part of a residential programme in the UK.

In 2015 the Queen led the nation in remembrance for two key anniversaries: The Centenary of the Gallipoli campaign in England and Turkey, and the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe.

Today the Queen continues to undertake her official duties, including audiences with ministers, investitures, overseas visits and ceremonies such as the State Opening of Parliament.