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Photo display at Windsor Castle to mark Queen becoming longest reigning

The display will run from September 9 – the day the Queen’s reign overtakes Queen Victoria’s – until January 28. It will look at the reigns of the two queens and and compare them. Each features the royal coat of arms and is decorated with the words “HM Queen Elizabeth II – Our Longest Reigning Monarch”.

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Phil Dolling, head of BBC Events, said: “For all of us alive, today, September 9th, is something we will not know again in our lifetimes – a British monarch reigning for more than 63 years and seven months”.

A wide range of contributors are taking part in the documentary, including Professor Kate Williams, Lord Professor Peter Hennessy, Lord Julian Fellowes and Matthew Dennison among others.

The Queen with her Highland Ponies, Windsor 2006.

She became the longest-living British monarch in December 2007, overtaking Victoria, who was 81 when she died.

Displays will also be on show at Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The images include official portraits and photographs of Her Majesty undertaking visits in the UK and across the Commonwealth, as well as those capturing informal family moments.

A black-and-white portrait by Dorothy Wilding from February 1952 is the earliest photograph in the selection and was taken just three weeks after Princess Elizabeth became Queen.

The two Queens are also the only monarchs in a 1,000-year period of the British Monarchy, to celebrate their Diamond Jubilees whilst on the throne.

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On Sunday September 13 there will be a service led by the Archdeacon of Dudley followed by the planting of a Queen Elizabeth rose.

Photo display at Windsor Castle to mark Queen becoming longest reigning