Queen Elizabeth II Becomes First British Monarch to Celebrate 70 Year Reign

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has become the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee, on Sunday.

The queen has reigned for 70 years and is already the nation’s longest-reigning monarch, plus the longest still-serving sovereign in the world.

The queen’s record-breaking reign has seen her spend 73 per cent of her life on the throne.

She overtook her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest-reigning monarch in September 2015, passing her ancestor’s 63 years and 216 days.

“Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception,” the queen remarked at the time.

In a build-up to the anniversary, the queen has spent time viewing cards and gifts sent to her by the public.

In newly released images, she is pictured viewing the items, along with a selection of historic items from the royal archives while wearing two aquamarine and diamond brooches which were given to her as an 18th birthday present by her father in April 1944.

She previously wore the brooches when she addressed the nation on the 75th anniversary of VE Day – marking when the Allies defeated Nazi Germany in Europe on May 8, 1945 – in 2020 and for her diamond jubilee televised speech in 2012.

“To begin the celebrations, Her Majesty viewed a selection of cards, letters and artwork sent to her by children and other members of the public to mark this, and previous, jubilees,” Buckingham Palace said.

She will spend Sunday on the Sandringham Estate, as she does each year, to honour her father’s memory.

Queen Elizabeth II kicked off her Platinum Jubilee celebrations with her first public appearance of the year, People reports.

The Queen, 95, hosted a public reception with representatives from local charities and members at Sandringham Estate, the monarch’s country retreat. The celebration took place on the eve of Accession Day, which marks the 70th anniversary of her father’s death. Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne.

According to People, the Queen cut a cake made with the emblem of the Platinum Jubilee and received gifts. Also in attendance was Harry Humphrey, mayor of nearby town King’s Lynn, and Angela Wood, creator of the original Coronation Chicken. The chicken dish was served at the Queen’s coronation in 1953 and has since become a national staple.

Humphrey presented the Queen with a Loyal Address and a mosaic made by local children. The Hunstanton Concert Band concert band reportedly played “Congratulations” as the royal left Sandringham.

Representatives for Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.

Accession Day marks the beginning of multiple celebrations for the Queen in honour of her reign. As Insider’s Maria Noyen previously reported, the Queen will spend Sunday privately at Sandringham, paying homage to her father, King George VI, according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.

A weekend of festivities is planned for June of this year. The Queen’s Birthday Parade (also known as Trooping the Colour) will take place on June 2 complete with soldiers, horses, and musicians. The following day, a “Service of Thanksgiving” will be held at St. Paul’s Cathedral. The holiday weekend will end with the Derby at Epsom Downs, a concert at the palace, and numerous jubilee lunches held across the UK.

The Queen has mostly stayed out of the public eye after a one-night hospital stay in October 2021. Buckingham Palace later announced she would “only undertake light, desk-based duties” and that she was in “good spirits.”