Long to reign over us: After almost seven happy and glorious decades the Queen is set to become Britain’s longest serving monarch after devoting her life to the nation - and here's a picture for every single year 

  • The Queen is set to become the longest reigning monarch, overtaking her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria
  • On Wednesday Her Majesty will have been on the throne for a total of 63 years, seven months and two days 
  • A Mail on Sunday magazine today tells the story of some of her most happiest moments throughout her long reign

When she was just 21 the then Princess Elizabeth made the people of the Commonwealth of Nations a solemn promise. 

'I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we belong. 

None who heard her words could have known she would go on to become the longest-reigning monarch in British history. 

Yet on September 9, 2015, that is her momentous achievement when she overtakes the record set by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, having been on the throne for 63 years, seven months and two days. 

Duty and patriotism have been been themes of her life and now and nearly 90, the Queen has a huge experience of world and foreign affairs.  

Here extracts from a Mail on Sunday special magazine tell the story of some of her happiest and most glorious moments and sadness from both her family life and the life of the country she rules with a picture from each year of her reign.

1952: The Queen in a Norman Hartnell black and white satin magpie dress for a royal premiere at Leicester Square. The dress was copied and was in the shops within 24 hours 

1952: The Queen in a Norman Hartnell black and white satin magpie dress for a royal premiere at Leicester Square. The dress was copied and was in the shops within 24 hours 

1953: The Queen leaves Westminster Abbey supported by the Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Bath and Wells following her coronation 

1953: The Queen leaves Westminster Abbey supported by the Bishop of Durham and Bishop of Bath and Wells following her coronation 

1954: Post the coronation the Queen embarked on a Commonwealth tour lasting 174 days. Here she is pictured visiting HMAS Australia in March 1954

1954: Post the coronation the Queen embarked on a Commonwealth tour lasting 174 days. Here she is pictured visiting HMAS Australia in March 1954

1955: The Queen during a visit to Doncaster racecourse to see the St Leger race. She is an avid racing fan and began riding lessons at the age of three 

1955: The Queen during a visit to Doncaster racecourse to see the St Leger race. She is an avid racing fan and began riding lessons at the age of three 

1956: Accompanied by the President of the Arab Horse Society, the Queen, in a floral pattern arrives at the Arab Horse Show at Roehampton 

1956: Accompanied by the President of the Arab Horse Society, the Queen, in a floral pattern arrives at the Arab Horse Show at Roehampton 

1957: Pictured in the Long Library at Sandringham, the Queen holding a copy of 'Pilgrim's Progress', makes her first televised Christmas Day broadcast to the nation 

1957: Pictured in the Long Library at Sandringham, the Queen holding a copy of 'Pilgrim's Progress', makes her first televised Christmas Day broadcast to the nation 

1958: Dressed in white togs, black gumboots and a miner's helmet, the Queen prepares to go down Rothes Colliery during a visit to Fife, Scotland

1958: Dressed in white togs, black gumboots and a miner's helmet, the Queen prepares to go down Rothes Colliery during a visit to Fife, Scotland

1959: Seated at her desk in Buckingham Palace, the Queen is seen opening one of the boxes, which documents and official papers are sent to her in 

1959: Seated at her desk in Buckingham Palace, the Queen is seen opening one of the boxes, which documents and official papers are sent to her in 

1960: During the 1960s, pictures showed the Queen as a young, vibrant monarch. She is pictured holding a young Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral 

1960: During the 1960s, pictures showed the Queen as a young, vibrant monarch. She is pictured holding a young Prince Andrew in the grounds of Balmoral 

1961: Passing on her love of horses to her children, the Queen and a young Prince Charles ride horses in the grounds of Windsor Castle 

1961: Passing on her love of horses to her children, the Queen and a young Prince Charles ride horses in the grounds of Windsor Castle 

1962: Attending a Sandown Park race meeting with her mother, the Queen opted for a leopard-print design coat for a day at the races 

1962: Attending a Sandown Park race meeting with her mother, the Queen opted for a leopard-print design coat for a day at the races 

1963: While attending Trooping the Colour in June 1963, the Queen rode back to Buckingham Palace from Horse Guards Parade on horseback 

1963: While attending Trooping the Colour in June 1963, the Queen rode back to Buckingham Palace from Horse Guards Parade on horseback 

1964: The Queen carries out duties in her role as head of the armed forces by inspecting the 1st and 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards at Windsor 

1964: The Queen carries out duties in her role as head of the armed forces by inspecting the 1st and 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards at Windsor 

1965: With her family complete, the Queen relaxes at Windsor Castle on her 39th birthday alongside a baby Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh 

1965: With her family complete, the Queen relaxes at Windsor Castle on her 39th birthday alongside a baby Prince Edward, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh 

1966: The Queen's presence in times of national tragedy is known to have a consoling and uplifting effect. She is pictured with the Duke of Edinburgh viewing the mining village of Aberfan, South Wales, where 145 people died in a landslide 

1966: The Queen's presence in times of national tragedy is known to have a consoling and uplifting effect. She is pictured with the Duke of Edinburgh viewing the mining village of Aberfan, South Wales, where 145 people died in a landslide 

1967: Resplendent in a pink coat and matching hat, the Queen attends a garden party in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea to mark the 50th anniversary of women in active service 

1967: Resplendent in a pink coat and matching hat, the Queen attends a garden party in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea to mark the 50th anniversary of women in active service 

1968: The royal family enjoy spending time together at Windsor with a young Prince Edward sat next to his mother and his father, Prince Philip 

1968: The royal family enjoy spending time together at Windsor with a young Prince Edward sat next to his mother and his father, Prince Philip 

1969: The Queen helps her sons Prince Charles and Prince Andrew and daughter Princess Anne dress the Christmas tree at Windsor. The scenes were captured during a landmark documentary about the Queen called 'The Royal Family' 

1969: The Queen helps her sons Prince Charles and Prince Andrew and daughter Princess Anne dress the Christmas tree at Windsor. The scenes were captured during a landmark documentary about the Queen called 'The Royal Family' 

1970: During the Queen's reign there have been 12 British Prime Ministers and 12 US presidents. Here she is pictured in 1970 with Prime Minister Edward Heath and American President Richard Nixon and wife Pat at Chequers, Buckinghamshire 

1970: During the Queen's reign there have been 12 British Prime Ministers and 12 US presidents. Here she is pictured in 1970 with Prime Minister Edward Heath and American President Richard Nixon and wife Pat at Chequers, Buckinghamshire 

1971: The Queen on board the Royal Yacht Britannia in March 1971 during her Silver Wedding celebrations. She was visibly upset when the ship was scrapped in 1997

1971: The Queen on board the Royal Yacht Britannia in March 1971 during her Silver Wedding celebrations. She was visibly upset when the ship was scrapped in 1997

1972: The Queen in her study at Balmoral working through papers. Even when she is away from London, the Queen still receives official government papers everyday 

1972: The Queen in her study at Balmoral working through papers. Even when she is away from London, the Queen still receives official government papers everyday 

1973: The Queen is known as a true countrywoman with horses and dogs playing a significant role in her life. She is pictured with several of her corgis at the Royal Windsor Horse Show 

1973: The Queen is known as a true countrywoman with horses and dogs playing a significant role in her life. She is pictured with several of her corgis at the Royal Windsor Horse Show 

1974: The Queen and daughter Princess Anne greet some of the men who came to Anne's assistance during an attempt to kidnap her in 1974 

1974: The Queen and daughter Princess Anne greet some of the men who came to Anne's assistance during an attempt to kidnap her in 1974 

1975: Standing near an oak sapling she planted in Tokyo on a visit to Japan. Tree planting has become a staple part of royal duties and she has planted hundreds all over the world 

1975: Standing near an oak sapling she planted in Tokyo on a visit to Japan. Tree planting has become a staple part of royal duties and she has planted hundreds all over the world 

1976: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh relax during the summer break to Balmoral in 1976. The highland retreat is their favourite place to spend the summer holidays 

1976: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh relax during the summer break to Balmoral in 1976. The highland retreat is their favourite place to spend the summer holidays 

1977: The Queen embarked on a huge tour around the UK visiting all 36 counties as part of her silver jubilee celebrations. She is pictured on a walk-about in Portsmouth 

1977: The Queen embarked on a huge tour around the UK visiting all 36 counties as part of her silver jubilee celebrations. She is pictured on a walk-about in Portsmouth 

1978: An exotic range of live animals have been gifted to the Queen over the years. These include a Jersey cow given to her at a country show in Saint John on the Channel Island 

1978: An exotic range of live animals have been gifted to the Queen over the years. These include a Jersey cow given to her at a country show in Saint John on the Channel Island 

1979: In a bright yellow dress and matching hat, the Queen takes part in a walkabout in Muscat while on a visit to Oman in the Middle East 

1979: In a bright yellow dress and matching hat, the Queen takes part in a walkabout in Muscat while on a visit to Oman in the Middle East 

1980: By 1980, the Queen had become a grandmother for the first time with the birth of Peter Phillips. They are pictured together on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the five-year-old Earl of Ulster 

1980: By 1980, the Queen had become a grandmother for the first time with the birth of Peter Phillips. They are pictured together on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the five-year-old Earl of Ulster 

1981: Royal Ascot is a firm fixture on the Queen's calendar and she is pictured arriving in 1981. She has owned 22 winners who have ran at Ascot 

1981: Royal Ascot is a firm fixture on the Queen's calendar and she is pictured arriving in 1981. She has owned 22 winners who have ran at Ascot 

1982: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh look relaxed and and dressed casually while on a visit to the Solomon Islands in 1982 

1982: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh look relaxed and and dressed casually while on a visit to the Solomon Islands in 1982 

1983: The Queen travelled to India in 1983 to visit the Indian President Zail Singh at his palace in New Delhi. She has travelled to 129 countries during her reign 

1983: The Queen travelled to India in 1983 to visit the Indian President Zail Singh at his palace in New Delhi. She has travelled to 129 countries during her reign 

1984: During the 1980s, the Queen's family continued to grow with the birth of another heir to the throne Prince William. He is pictured cheekily posing at the christening of his brother Prince Harry 

1984: During the 1980s, the Queen's family continued to grow with the birth of another heir to the throne Prince William. He is pictured cheekily posing at the christening of his brother Prince Harry 

1985: In 1985, the Queen attended Trooping the Colour on horse again and took the salute of the Household Guards at Horse Guard's Parade 

1985: In 1985, the Queen attended Trooping the Colour on horse again and took the salute of the Household Guards at Horse Guard's Parade 

1986: Known for her love of bright colours, the Queen stands out in bright pink during a tour of New Zealand in 1986 with Prince Philip 

1986: Known for her love of bright colours, the Queen stands out in bright pink during a tour of New Zealand in 1986 with Prince Philip 

1987: The Queen with her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry. She is held in great affection by all her grandchildren, who call her Granny 

1987: The Queen with her grandsons Prince William and Prince Harry. She is held in great affection by all her grandchildren, who call her Granny 

1988: Looking relaxed dressed in jodphurs, riding boots and a hacking jacket, the Queen applauds her husband in the driving ring at Royal Windsor Horse Show 

1988: Looking relaxed dressed in jodphurs, riding boots and a hacking jacket, the Queen applauds her husband in the driving ring at Royal Windsor Horse Show 

1989: The Queen has met 12 US presidents during her reign including Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy. They shared a love of horses and were picured riding together at Windsor 

1989: The Queen has met 12 US presidents during her reign including Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy. They shared a love of horses and were picured riding together at Windsor 

1990: Dressed in blue polka dots, the Queen arrives at Royal Ascot for the King George VI Stakes. She has claimed most of the top prizes in horse racing but still longs to win the Derby 

1990: Dressed in blue polka dots, the Queen arrives at Royal Ascot for the King George VI Stakes. She has claimed most of the top prizes in horse racing but still longs to win the Derby 

1991: Pictured with former Prime Minister John Major in 1991. He said he was able to open up to the Queen as 'nobody else is present, apart from the occasional corgi' 

1991: Pictured with former Prime Minister John Major in 1991. He said he was able to open up to the Queen as 'nobody else is present, apart from the occasional corgi' 

1992: A devastating fire ripped through parts of Windsor Castle destroying parts of the building in 1992. The Queen is pictured surveying the damage with a firefighter. Later she described 1992 as her 'annus horribilis'

1992: A devastating fire ripped through parts of Windsor Castle destroying parts of the building in 1992. The Queen is pictured surveying the damage with a firefighter. Later she described 1992 as her 'annus horribilis'

1993: Known for her love of hats, the Queen is pictured wearing a Kucsma hat during a visit to Kecskement, Hungary with the Duke of Edinburgh 

1993: Known for her love of hats, the Queen is pictured wearing a Kucsma hat during a visit to Kecskement, Hungary with the Duke of Edinburgh 

1994: The Queen loves to wear a tweed skirt and sturdy shoes while in the countryside. She is pictured at Balmoral, where she spends every summer, in 1994 with the corgis and Prince Philip 

1994: The Queen loves to wear a tweed skirt and sturdy shoes while in the countryside. She is pictured at Balmoral, where she spends every summer, in 1994 with the corgis and Prince Philip 

1995: The Queen waves serenely during a walkabout on a trip to Durban, South Africa wearing a floral Hardy Amies suit and wide-brimmed hat 

1995: The Queen waves serenely during a walkabout on a trip to Durban, South Africa wearing a floral Hardy Amies suit and wide-brimmed hat 

1996: Continuing her travels across the world, Her Majesty attends a lunch at the Bank of Thailand during a visit to the country in 1996

1996: Continuing her travels across the world, Her Majesty attends a lunch at the Bank of Thailand during a visit to the country in 1996

1997: After the death of Princess Diana, the Queen stayed in Balmoral before being forced to return to London. She then paid a moving tribute to her daughter-in-law in a televised address 

1997: After the death of Princess Diana, the Queen stayed in Balmoral before being forced to return to London. She then paid a moving tribute to her daughter-in-law in a televised address 

1998: Minus her shoes, the Queen attends a religious shrine dressed in an elegant white coat while on a state visit to Malaysia 

1998: Minus her shoes, the Queen attends a religious shrine dressed in an elegant white coat while on a state visit to Malaysia 

1999: The Queen raised eyebrows with a rare style disaster in a colourful dress while attending the Royal Variety Performance in 1999 

1999: The Queen raised eyebrows with a rare style disaster in a colourful dress while attending the Royal Variety Performance in 1999 

2000: At the dawn of a new millennium, the Queen raises a glass to Prince Philip during New Year's Eve celebrations at the Millennium Dome

2000: At the dawn of a new millennium, the Queen raises a glass to Prince Philip during New Year's Eve celebrations at the Millennium Dome

2001: At a Royal Variety Performance two years later, the Queen opts for a block turquoise colour dress with white gloves and a silver handbag 

2001: At a Royal Variety Performance two years later, the Queen opts for a block turquoise colour dress with white gloves and a silver handbag 

2002: Riding a wave of emotion, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are surrounded by a sea of Union Jacks as they head along the Mall during Golden Jubilee celebrations

2002: Riding a wave of emotion, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are surrounded by a sea of Union Jacks as they head along the Mall during Golden Jubilee celebrations

2003: The Queen attends Trooping the Colour in a horse drawn carriage. She has attended the ceremony almost every year of her reign

2003: The Queen attends Trooping the Colour in a horse drawn carriage. She has attended the ceremony almost every year of her reign

2004: The Queen delivers her annual Christmas message for 2004 from the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace

2004: The Queen delivers her annual Christmas message for 2004 from the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace

2005: The Queen beams following the blessing of the marriage of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. At the reception she said: 'My son is home and dry with the woman he loves' 

2005: The Queen beams following the blessing of the marriage of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. At the reception she said: 'My son is home and dry with the woman he loves' 

2006: The Queen sitting in the Regency Room in Buckingham Palace looks through her cards sent to her for her 80th birthday 

2006: The Queen sitting in the Regency Room in Buckingham Palace looks through her cards sent to her for her 80th birthday 

2007: To mark their 60th wedding anniversary, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visit Broadlands in Hampshire, where they spent their wedding night 

2007: To mark their 60th wedding anniversary, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visit Broadlands in Hampshire, where they spent their wedding night 

2008: During a visit to Slovenia, the Queen wore a silver-grey brocade gown to a state dinner held in honour of her and Prince Philip 

2008: During a visit to Slovenia, the Queen wore a silver-grey brocade gown to a state dinner held in honour of her and Prince Philip 

2009: Back at Royal Ascot, in a bright pink outfit, the Queen inspects her runner before its first race of the day at the world-famous event 

2009: Back at Royal Ascot, in a bright pink outfit, the Queen inspects her runner before its first race of the day at the world-famous event 

2010: In an ornate oriental style dress, the Queen waves as she arrives for a dinner event at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in London 

2010: In an ornate oriental style dress, the Queen waves as she arrives for a dinner event at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in London 

2011: The Queen resplendent in a yellow Angela Kelly outfit beams with delight as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Place following their wedding 

2011: The Queen resplendent in a yellow Angela Kelly outfit beams with delight as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge kiss on the balcony of Buckingham Place following their wedding 

2012: Prince Charles kisses the Queen's hand after referring to her as 'Mummy' in his warm speech to mark her Diamond Jubilee 

2012: Prince Charles kisses the Queen's hand after referring to her as 'Mummy' in his warm speech to mark her Diamond Jubilee 

2013: The birth of Prince George in 2013, meant their were three direct heirs to the throne. Pictured alongside her at the young prince's christening were Prince Charles and Prince William 

2013: The birth of Prince George in 2013, meant their were three direct heirs to the throne. Pictured alongside her at the young prince's christening were Prince Charles and Prince William 

2014: Hollywood royalty meets actual royalty when actress Angelina Jolie was made a Honorary Dame Commander by the Queen at Buckingham Palace 

2014: Hollywood royalty meets actual royalty when actress Angelina Jolie was made a Honorary Dame Commander by the Queen at Buckingham Palace 

2015: The Queen makes her way back to Windsor Castle in full regalia following the Garter Ceremony held earlier this year 

2015: The Queen makes her way back to Windsor Castle in full regalia following the Garter Ceremony held earlier this year 

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