The Queen's 70 years on the throne make her the longest-ever serving British monarch and are being celebrated with two extra days of public holiday and events throughout the UK.

The 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth was in Kenya when she was told about the death of her father, King George VI in 1952. She returned home immediately and was proclaimed Queen Elizabeth II a few days later, declaring she would be "inspired by the loyalty and affection of those whose Queen I have been called to be and… I pray that God will help me to discharge worthily this heavy task that been laid upon me so early in my life".