Prime Minister Mark Brown is sending the country’s congratulations and best wishes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth as celebrations begin in Britain and around the world for her Platinum Jubilee.

The celebrations mark her record breaking 70 year long reign, making her the longest serving British monarch and the third longest serving monarch in the world so far.

The world’s longest reigning monarch so far, has been the French King Louis the 14th who was on his throne for 72 years and 110 days.

The former King of Thailand who died in 2016 ruled for 70 years and 126 days. Queen Elizabeth has reigned for 70 years and 117 days.

The Prime Minister said Queen Elizabeth suceeded her late Father King George on February 6, 1952, she was 27 years old.

“She was on her honeymoon with her husband Prince Phillip in Kenya in Africa when word came through that her father had died. At the time she and Phillip were in a game park in a hotel called Tree Tops which was literally built in trees beside a waterhole where one can watch animals coming down to drink in the evening. The popular press at the time reported that she went into the trees as a Princess and came down a Queen.”

When she was crowned Queen, her promise was that she would serve her people, and she has kept her promise going on to become the most loved monarch in British history, Brown said.

“Up until very recently she maintained a steady workload of royal duties only slowing down in the last few weeks because of mobility issues. She’s in her 97th year.”

Her husband, constant companion and loyal supporter – Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh – died in April last year at the age of 97.

Among the many events planned to mark her very special Jubilee, and service, the 54 Commonwealth countries will each light a beacon fire in their capital city.

Prime Minister Brown said: “Her Majesty has been the epitome of a leader and has provided service to her people of the highest order.”