LONDON — Queen Elizabeth II became Britain’s oldest-ever monarch Thursday, reaching a new milestone in a job she has held for more than half a century — one that comes with luxurious accommodation, long hours and little chance of retirement.
Elizabeth, 81, passed the mark set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Her son, Prince Charles, closed in on the title of longest-waiting heir to the throne.
Victoria was born on May 24, 1819, and lived for 81 years and 243 days. Buckingham Palace, calculating longevity down to the hour, said Elizabeth moved past her predecessor at about 5 p.m. (10 a.m. MST) Thursday.
Palace officials said there would be no special events to mark the occasion, and the queen had no public appearances scheduled Thursday. She spent the day working quietly at home on royal paperwork.
Royal historian Robert Lacey said the milestone would likely bring the queen “some quiet satisfaction.”
“She is a modest person, never one for blowing her own trumpet, and I think that is one of the reasons for her success and longevity,” Lacey said.
Elizabeth, who ascended to the throne in 1952, is one of only five kings or queens since the 1066 Norman Conquest to reign for more than half a century. Queen Victoria, who ruled for almost 64 years, is the longest-reigning British monarch.
