TWEEDBANK, Scotland –During Queen Victoria’s reign, Britain was an economic powerhouse and its railway lines rapidly spread out across the nation like arteries.
So perhaps it is only fitting that Queen Elizabeth II marked the milestone of becoming Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, steamrolling past the record of 63 years and 216 days set by her great-great-grandmother, by officially opening a new railway line.
“I thank you all, at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness,” said the 89-year-old queen to a throng of well-wishers on Wednesday.
She then returned to “the business at hand” and unveiled a plaque opening the new train line in little Tweedbank in the Scottish Borders.
Most of the people who waited over three hours in chilly weather to see the world’s most famous royal — who wore a striking turquoise dress — did not seem disappointed
“My kids know who the queen is from telly, but they have never seen anything like this,” said Misty Crew, 30, a beautician whose 2-year-old daughter wore a toy crown with pink jewels.
Not that Her Majesty wanted a fuss. Queen Elizabeth II may have clocked more throne time than any other king or queen in the 1,000 years of the British monarchy, but palace aides have long insisted she wanted the occasion to pass without fanfare.
“She really takes it in her stride,” said Dickie Arbiter, the queen’s former press secretary. “She was asked to do a job of work, and she will do a job of work until she dies. The fact that she’s exceeding Victoria’s reign, it’s just the way it’s fallen into place.”
Said a spokesman for Buckingham Palace: “The queen has said from the start, Wednesday is business as usual.”
British lawmakers preparing tributes in Parliament apparently did not get that memo. Nor did many of the leaders of Commonwealth countries — a club of nations of which the queen is the nominal head — who are reportedly planning their own tributes.
The House of Windsor appears to be in good health, with a recent poll saying that two-thirds of the public think that Britain should continue to have a monarchy.
Elizabeth II still keeps a rigorous work schedule, although she has cut back her travel.
With relatively few blips, the queen has steered the monarchy with a steady hand since being crowned when she was 25 years old.
