The Queen marks her Sapphire Jubilee (65 years)

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38872538

The Queen marks her Sapphire Jubilee

New portrait released to mark the low-key milestone of 65 years on the British & Commonwealth throne

Queen Elizabeth II, the world's longest-reigning living monarch and the longest-reigning monarch in British history, celebrates her Sapphire Jubilee on Monday, commemorating 65 years since she took the British and Commonwealth throne.

A 41-gun royal salute will take place in central London to mark the occasion. The Royal Household released a 2014 portrait showing her wearing a suite of sapphire jewelry she received from King George VI as a wedding gift in 1947.

The Queen, 90, has cut back on international tours but still regularly performs official duties around Britain. In December she said she would reduce the number of her patronages, passing on her role at dozens of charities, academic institutions and sporting groups to other members of the royal family.

She will spend the day at her residence in Sandringham, eastern England, as is usual, the Palace said.

Another historic milestone.

God Save the Queen.

Have a great day ma'am.

[Keenan]

Congratulations to her! It's very humbling to hear this especially after watching The Crown and seeing how far she has come. Though I can't help but thinking of the elder lady from the Titanic when looking at her portrait.

[-:Undertaker:-]

It's Waitangi Day today as well so got my New Zealand flag up (h)

[-:Undertaker:-]

Moves are afoot to have a public holiday this summer to celebrate the milestone.

http://www.itv.com/news/2017-03-05/m...amond-jubilee/

MPs push for national holiday to celebrate Queen's Sapphire Jubilee

The Queen's record-breaking 65 years on the throne should be marked with a national public holiday in the summer, MPs are saying.

Conservative Andrew Rosindell said if there are no celebrations this year it would be a missed opportunity, because the Queen made history this year by becoming the first British monarch to reach their Sapphire Jubilee.

He suggested that a day of celebrations could be held in June, allowing people to host street parties and other events, similar to the events that happened in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee.

Mr Rosindell will have time on Tuesday to introduce his Queen's Saphhire Jubilee Bill to the Commons, which seeks to guarantee a national holiday across the UK and its overseas territories.

The Queen acceded to the throne on February 6 1952 following her father George VI's death.

He added that he understood the Queen is "very modest" and does not necessarily expect huge celebrations.

"I have personally spoken to Theresa May about the idea and she was certainly positive in her approach to this," he said.

"I hope the Government will put some ideas to Her Majesty for her agreement and hopefully in June have a celebration."