On september 9th 2015 queen elizabeth ii becomes the longest reigning british monarch passing the record set by her great great grandmother queen victoria of 63 years and 7 months victoria was the symbol of the age sturdy as a steam engine and as solidly built as any of eugenius birchs cast iron seaside piers her longevity was interpreted as proof that theirs was as she herself described it an epoch of progress september 9th is the day that casts in a new light the national anthem