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Queen Elizabeth II

BBC to broadcast special documentary as Queen becomes longest-reigning Monarch

On the 9th of September this year, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will make history as she becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history. To mark the occasion, BBC One will be airing a documentary, ‘The Queen’s Longest Reign: Elizabeth & Victoria’.

The Queen will overtake her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, to become the longest reigning monarch on September 9

The Queen will overtake her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, to become the longest reigning monarch on September 9th.

Until September 9, Queen Victoria, the current Queen’s great-great-grandmother, is the longest reigning monarch, having sat for 63 years and seven months on the throne.

The hour long documentary, which will be presented by Sophie Raworth, looks at the reigns of both Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Victoria, asking how they have managed to provide such enduring stability in an ever-changing world.

Head of BBC Events, Phil Dolling, says: “For all of us alive, today, September 9th, is something we will not know again in our lifetimes – a British monarch reigning for more than 63 years and seven months. It’s a remarkable achievement and we’re delighted to be able to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen with this documentary.”

A wide range of contributors are taking part in the documentary, including Professor Kate Williams, Lord Professor Peter Hennessy, Lord Julian Fellowes and Matthew Dennison among others.

The programme will highlight the challenges and achievements that the Queen has faced in her 63 year reign, and compares them to Queen Victoria’s, who died in 1901 at the age of 81.

Footage of the Queen taken at home and abroad will be featured in the film, including scenes at Buckingham Palace, Balmoral, Windsor Castle, Holyroodhouse and Kensington Palace. The recent state visit she undertook to Germany will also be shown, where Her Majesty visited the site of the former Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp.

The 89-year old Queen and her great-great-grandmother had lots in common, as the film will highlight. For one, neither of them expected to ascend the throne, and only did so as a result of deaths and abdications. The responsibility of being monarch was also given to them both at very young ages; Victoria being 18 and Queen Elizabeth being 25 when her father, King George VI, died.

The two Queens are also the only monarchs in a 1,000-year period of the British Monarchy, to celebrate their Diamond Jubilees whilst on the throne.

The Queen’s Longest Reign: Elizabeth & Victoria, will air on BBC One on Sunday 6th September.

Photo Credit: lizsmith via Flickr

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