Queen Elizabeth II longest reign as it happened: Monarch 'touched by messages of kindness' as she overtakes Victoria

Going to be shutting down the blog at the end of an eventful day. Here's to another 63 years.

AND SHE'S DONE IT!

With the time past 5:30pm, Queen Elizabeth II has officially become Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

Over on the Gov.uk website, historian and biographer D R Thorpe has written a post on the Queen's relationship with the 12 prime ministers who lead the country during her reign.

Thorpe writes:

You can read the full post here.

While we wait for 5:30pm the time Buckingham Place has down as the official moment when the Queen will overtake her great-great grandmother's reign of 23,226 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes, here are some photos of her down the years.

More can be seen via our '63 years in photos' gallery.

More audio footage here, this time from people who have more unusual stories of meeting the square than the usual 'shook her hand at a hospital'.

Queen Elizabeth thanked the public for the "touching messages of great kindness" she has received during a rare speech at the opening of the Scottish Borders Railway. She spoke of her gratitude for the messages from home and abroad on.

Getting into the royal festivities is British Airways. To mark the 63 years since the Queen acceded to the throne the airlines is offering £63 off flights until midnight Wednesday 9 September 2015 - you can browse the long haul destinations here.

In case you missed the Queen's steam powered rail extravaganza earlier today, here's a photo gallery from the journey. After arriving at Waverley station in Edinburgh 40 minutes late due to fog at Balmoral, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh joined Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on board the Union of South Africa to Tweedbank, where she unveiled a commemorative plaque.

Here is some reaction from the banks of the River Thames as the celebratory flotilla passed towards the Houses of Parliament.

As the Queen continues with her walkabout during this day, here are some of IB Times UK's video coverage of what has happened so far:

Queen Elizabeth II: Monarch rides steam locomotive to mark longest reign

And

David Cameron pays tribute to 'extraordinary' British monarch

The Queen's speech in full:

"The Duke of Edinburgh and I are delighted to be back in the Borders today and especially to have arrived by train. It is wonderful to have witnessed the excitement which the return of the railway has brought here.

We are very grateful for the warmth of your welcome on this occasion. Many, including you, First Minister, have noted another significance attached to today. Although it's not one to which I've aspired. A long life can pass many milestones. Mine is no exception.

I thank you all, and the many others at home and overseas, for your touching messages of great kindness."

As expected, the Queen only gave a few words to mark the "other significant" milestone today as well as the opening of the railway, which she described as "not one to which I've aspired".

The Queen has now arrived at Tweedbank to officially open to new Borders Railway. You can read the IB Times UK's report on the longest new domestic railway for more than a century here.

It is not known if the Queen will be saying a few words or not once she arrives at Tweedbank to mark the historic day.

While we wait for the Queen to arrive at the Scottish town of Tweedbank, Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma has praised the monarch on behalf of the 53 countries which were formally part of the British Empire.

Sharma said:

The Queen's personal commitment as Head of the Commonwealth is exemplary, and her devotion to advancing cooperation and understanding continues to inspire people of all ages Commonwealth-wide.

As a symbol of continuity during decades of unprecedented change, and by drawing our people together in their rich diversity, Her Majesty has embodied all that is best in the Commonwealth. With vision and dedication her example has encouraged successive generations of leaders and citizens to embrace the promise of the future.

In congratulating Her Majesty on this historic occasion the Commonwealth joins with a fresh sense of common purpose, committed to advancing in practical ways the shared values and principles now set out in the Commonwealth Charter.

There are now 53 Commonwealth member states, compared to eight when Queen Elizabeth II became Head of the Commonwealth in 1952.

Until the Queen arrives at Tweetbank, take a look back at some of IBTimes UK's coverage so far of the Queen's record reign.

• The Queen shuns TV address but could mention record at Scottish Borders Railway
• Ten things you didn't know about the British monarch
• What was Britain like in the 1950s?
• What are the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre used at Coronation?
• Chelsea pensioners recall Her Majesty's coronation day
• David Cameron pays tribute to 'extraordinary' British monarch
• 63 years in photos
• Britain's longest-serving monarch by the numbers

The flotilla has got under way along the River Thames. Tower Bridge was raised to mark its beginning as boats make their way to the Houses of Parliament.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron says the Queen has reigned with "humility and service" not by claiming "the grandeur of office". He finishes his speech with "long live the Queen".

Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman says how the Queen has gone from "sending telegrams to sending tweets" and has offered "the reassurance of continuity".

She quips that the Queen "rules over more than 140 million people. That is a huge number and almost as many as the Labour Party's registered members".

David Cameron is in the House of Commons addressing MPs on the Queen's reign. He says she is a "golden thread" that has run through three post-war generations and she "never falters" when performing duties she enjoys - like attending the Highland Games - or ones she might not, like "spending New Year's Eve in the Millennium Dome". The Queen spent December 1999 at the Dome alongside then prime minister Tony Blair.

THE QUEEN HAS ARRIVED! Along with the Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen arrived at Waverley to cheering crowds waving Union Jack flags. She passed the Royal Company of Archers before boarding the Union of South African steam locomotive for Tweedbank.

Bad weather in Balmoral means the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will be arrive at Waverley station 40 minutes later than scheduled.

The inclement weather probably means the monarch will boast one of her trademark hats. But which one will she plump for? This gallery of sartorial elegance might provide the answer...

The steam locomotive Union of South Africa has arrived at Waverley station before departing with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Accompanying the couple will be Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. The Queen will officially open the new Scottish Border's Railway, which runs from the capital to Tweedbank.

The Queen and Nicola Sturgeon might have different opinions on the future of the union, but Scotland's first minister has nonetheless tweeted to say she is looking forward to the royal opening of the Border Railway:

The Queen doesn't fancy talking to Prince Charles and the Duke of Edinburgh likes a flutter on the Adam & Eve's fruit machine in Westminster. At least, that's according to a video sent to us in one of the most utterly bizarre bits of PR in recent times.

The BT Tower has paid tribute to the Queen from 189m above London. A message reading "Long may she reign" is continuously scrolling above the tower's restaurant.

Clarence House, the residence of the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, has tweeted in recognition of the record. Prince Charles was at Scotland's 2015 Year of Food and Drink, at Dumfries House, East Ayrshire, on Tuesday and his wife the Duchess will today visit ITV's Southbank studio in London where he will meet famous faces from the broadcaster's shows.

A rendition of God Save The Queen and three cheers will ring out on the River Thames next to the Houses of Parliament this afternoon.

In a repeat of the flotilla that marked the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012, boats, barges and the odd kayak will take to the iconic river from Tower Bridge before heading west to Westminster.

Sky News has produced a survey showing a whopping 70% of people think there should be a monarchy "forever". Of those who thought the monarchy should be a permanent fixture, 87% voted Conservative at the last election.

Almost three quarters (73%) of those questioned thought the monarchy is an "integral part of British culture". Just over a fifth (21%) said the monarchy is a "waste of money".

See the full set of data here

The prime minister has taken time out of preparing for PMQs by tweeting a tribute to the head of state.

He says the Queen has been a "rock of stability in a world of constant change".

The global fascination with the British monarchy and the royal family can be seen across the front pages of newspapers and website of media outlets around the world. "Timeless Elizabeth," says Italian daily Corriere Della Sera.

Spanish paper El Pais finds a bottom corner on its front page:

The New York Post explains "Why Americans are so fond of the Queen". Hint: it's to do with the tradition, legacy and history.

The Australian goes all gooey for Queen Elizabeth, saying: "The Queen has provided a sense of stability in the lives of nations including Britain and Australia."

In Canada, National Post's John Fraser praises the Queen's keeping of politics at arm's length. "She has done what her Canadian prime ministers and provincial premiers have advised her to do, for good or ill, but she also kept a tactful distance from their politics. She is experienced and wise beyond measure, and forbearing to a fault," he writes.

No official events or commemorations have been prepared by the palace but MPs will have an opportunity to pay tribute to the Queen in the House of Commons.

The official Commons timetable states that from 11.30am MPs will have 30 minutes for "Speeches to mark Her Majesty the Queen becoming our longest serving Monarch".

But David Cameron is expected to remain seated at the end of prime minister's questions to lead testimonials.

Unsurprisingly, most of today's newspaper front pages are dedicated to the Queen's milestone. The Guardian and The Independent decided against having the monarch beneath their mastheads.

Good morning and welcome to IBTimes UK's live blog as Queen Elizabeth becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch.

Buckingham Palace last night released an image of the Queen in her private audience room at Buckingham Palace. Taken in July by Mary McCartney, the daughter of Sir Paul and late with Linda, it shows Her Majesty with one of her red boxes containing government papers.