The World Reacts to Queen Elizabeth Becoming Britain’s Longest Serving Monarch

Queen Elizabeth II, who is the world’s longest-serving sovereign, also became the longest reigning monarch in British history on Wednesday.

The Queen surpasses her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who spent 63 years, seven months and two days on the throne. Many in the U.K. and abroad have paid tribute to the record-breaking monarch.

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron called the Queen “a rock of stability in a world of constant change.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, tweeted his well-wishes.

Piers Morgan, the TV presenter, considered her sense of duty “outstanding” and noted that her reign has not been marred by any mishap. He warned readers not to be fooled by her benign demeanour. “Beneath that grin lurks a formidable intelligence, a wisdom of rare depth and experience, and a sense of humour that can cut to the quick like one of the antique swords which line her palace walls” writes Morgan in the Daily Mail.

“I always think of her as those bright pastel colours. I can’t think of anyone more recognisable really. She’s got a twinkle in her eye” said fashion photographer David Bailey to ITV. Bailey, who has snapped Mick Jagger and the late Princess Diana in the past, photographed the Queen last year for her 88th birthday.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott acknowledged the milestone in parliament. “Well, after 63 years, seven months and four days of service, Her Majesty the Queen today becomes the longest-serving monarch in our history. For Australia, the UK, and the rest of the Commonwealth, the Queen has been a beacon of stability for more than six decades” said Abbott.

The day before, her son Prince Andrew commended his mother for the “consistent delivery of her service” to both the U.K. and the Commonwealth. He also told the BBC that she was treating the milestone as “a normal, run-of-the mill sort of day.”

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson congratulated the Queen on social media.

The milestone day did not stop 89-year-old monarch from attending to her royal duties. During a speech at Tweedbank, Scotland, where she was opening the Scottish Borders Railway, she thanked well-wishers for their messages.

“Inevitably a long life can pass by many milestones. My own is no exception. But I thank you all and the many others at home and overseas for your touching messages of great kindness, ” said the Queen.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who had accompanied the Queen, called it a historic day.

“Our Majesty, throughout your reign, supported at all times by the Duke of Edinburgh, you have carried out your duties with dedication, wisdom, and an exemplary sense of public service. You are held in esteem around the UK, across the commonwealth and around the world,” said Sturgeon at Tweedbank.

In London, a flotilla of historic vessels, leisure cruisers and passenger boats sailed down the River Thames in London to celebrate her reign, reports the BBC. The ocasion was also followed by a four-gun salute from the permanently-moored World War II cruiser HMS Belfast.

Google showed their love by adding a ‘Congratulations Ma’am’ link on its homepage, which clicks-out to news stories about the day. They also announced the addition of ‘PegMa’am,’ a new feature for Google Maps.

Others celebrated by creating memes. This traded on the Game of Thrones: https://twitter.com/michaelfrost6/status/641465516079513604?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

And this celebrated that Prince Charles has been heir to the throne for a record time