CHIEF officers and Cabinet members at Hampshire County Council raised a glass to The Queen who today becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history.
Councillor Roy Perry, leader of Hampshire County Council, led the toast in the Great Hall at Winchester, underneath the six foot diameter bronze of Queen Elizabeth, commissioned by the former Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Dame Mary Fagan, to celebrate Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee in 2013.
Cllr Perry said: "For more than 63 years Queen Elizabeth II has been a constant in all our lives, through good times and bad. On behalf of the people of Hampshire, I would like to congratulate Her Majesty and let her know that we are thinking of her at this special time."
The Queen will reach the milestone at 5.30pm today, surpassing her great, great grandmother Queen Victoria's time on the throne by reigning for 63 years, seven months and six days.
Aged 89, The Queen is also the oldest reigning monarch.
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