At approximately 5:30 this afternoon, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest reigning monarch in British history, outliving her great great grandmother, Queen Victoria. At her request, the celebrations have been low-key, but the day has been well marked, and I’ve certainly been aware of it within my psyche. As an American school child in the 1960’s, I was taught that no one need bow (literally or figuratively) to a monarch, but since choosing to take citizenship here 10 years ago, I’ve accepted that in my adopted country we have a queen whom I’ve grown to love and deeply respect.

God save our gracious Queen
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen.
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious
Long to reign over us
God save the Queen.

The BBC website features a moving tribute of photos from her 63-year reign, with one photo chosen from each year.