This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Today (Wednesday 9 September 2015), Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning monarch of Great Britain.
Once Queen Elizabeth has been on the throne for 23,226 days, 16 hours and 24 minutes (63 years and seven months!), she will become the longest service monarch in British history, eclipsing the record held by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who died in 1901.
The Isle of Wight’s Civic Office and the Lieutenancy are hosting a church service at Newport Minster on Sunday to formally commemorate this historic occasion. The service will include representation from the Armed Forces, statutory and voluntary agencies on the Island, as well as other Civic officials and representatives.
“Selfless devotion to duty”
HM Lord-Lieutenant, Major General Martin White, said:
“This is a marvellous opportunity for our community to acknowledge the selfless devotion to duty of our Queen.”
Charles Chapman, Chairman and Civic Head of the Isle of Wight Council, said:
“We felt it was important that the Isle of Wight pay homage to this historic occasion, which we will do on Sunday by bringing together representatives from across the Island’s communities to celebrate.
“Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II did not wish for any celebration of this historic day to burden the public purse, which our civic service has not. But, with Queen Victoria such a prominent Island resident we wanted to document the passing of her tenure as longest serving monarch, locally.”
The service, at 11am on Sunday 13 September 2015, is by invitation only.
Image: Michael Gwyther-Jones under CC BY 2.0
