Ambassador’s message: HM The Queen becomes longest reigning British monarch
Watch a special video message from Tim Hitchens, British Ambassador to Japan and former Private Secretary to Her Majesty on this royal milestone.
On 9 September 2015 Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest-ever reigning monarch in British history, overtaking her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who according to Buckingham Palace records, reigned for 23,226 days, 16 hours and approximately 30 minutes.
This momentous date will pass without celebration for The Queen but Tim Hitchens, British Ambassador to Japan and former Private Secretary to Her Majesty, has recorded a special video message to mark the occasion in Japan.
Speaking from the Ambassador’s Residence at the British Embassy Tokyo, Ambassador Hitchens said:
Today is a very important day for everyone who is British, and everyone who cares about the relationship between Japan and Britain. One of the key defining features of Britain and Japan are our royal and Imperial families. Both are very important to who we are as nations, and the relationship between the Royal family and the Imperial family is strong and vibrant.
Queen Elizabeth, has now been on the throne for many years and she has powerful relationships with the current Emperor. It was a great pleasure earlier this year to see in Japan, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, on his first ever visit Japan.
The Queen has always been a great model of duty and hard work. As a member of her Britannic Majesty’s diplomatic service and as a former private secretary to Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace, I can only say congratulations your Majesty and long may you reign over us.
UK and Japan: Her Majesty The Queen becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch