LONDON -- It's a big day for Britain's 89-year-old Queen. On Wednesday, she becomes the longest-reigning monarch, passing Queen Victoria's reign of 63 years and seven months.
Buckingham Palace marked the day by issuing a new photograph of the Queen at her desk in her private audience room with an official red box. She receives one of these every day and it contains papers about official matters in the UK and further afield.
On Wednesday, she was spending the day in Scotland attending to royal duties. Together with Prince Philip she opened the new Scottish Borders Railway, taking a short steam train trip with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Speaking in Edinburgh, she thanked people around the world for their "great kindness".
Hundreds of people lined up at #Edinburgh Waverley to welcome HM Queen as she boards @BordersRailway. pic.twitter.com/3lIQ5mu1Rc— This is Edinburgh (@edinburgh) September 9, 2015
Prime Minister David Cameron said millions of Britons would celebrate the Queen's historic moment.
"Over the last 63 years, Her Majesty has been a rock of stability in a world of constant change and her selfless sense of service and duty has earned admiration not only in Britain, but right across the globe," Cameron said.
PM: Over the last 63 years, Her Majesty has been a rock of stability in a world of constant change. #LongestReign pic.twitter.com/C1eKEsrwBb— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) September 9, 2015
Praise also poured in from distant parts of the Commonwealth.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott told the Australian Parliament that the Queen has compiled an extraordinary record of service and is regarded with "respect and affection" by Australians.
"Hers has been a long, rich life of service to her country, to the Commonwealth," Abbott said. "We pay tribute to her dedication to duty. We wish her and her loving, remarkable husband health and happiness in the years ahead."
Elizabeth came to the throne in 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI.
Additional reporting by The Associated Press
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BONUS: A corgi tea party in honor of the Queen's 63-year-reign