Long To Reign Over Us – Royal Mail First Day Cover

The newest Royal Mail First Day Cover collection is dedicated to H M Queen Elizabeth II, who is the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. During more than a thousand years of the history of the British monarchy, the reigns of a number of kings and queens have been notable for their longevity. The third Hanoverian king, George III, died in 1820, following almost 60 years on the throne. His grand-daughter became Queen Victoria at the age of 18, leading the British monarchy into the 20^th century, after reigning for 63 years and seven months.

In September 2015, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became the UK’s longest reigning monarch. Born on 21 April 1926, the first child of The Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), Princess Elizabeth acceded to the throne on the death of her father, on 6 February 1952. With the unstinting support of her husband, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen embraced her role with dignity and devotion, fulfilling her Sovereign duties with distinction.