Queen Elizabeth, the world's longest-reigning living monarch, celebrated her Sapphire Jubilee on Monday. She is the first ever British monarch to have reached such a milestone. The day commemorates 65 years of her reign since she took the British throne on Feb 6, 1952 when her father died.
The Queen's office released a 2014 portrait showing her wearing a suite of sapphire jewelry that she had received from King George VI as a wedding gift in 1947. A 41-gun royal salute also took place in central London to mark the occasion.
The 90-year-old Queen still performs official duties around Britain although she has cut back on her international tours. Last December, she said that she will reduce the number of her patronages, passing on her role at dozens of charities, academic institutions and sporting groups to other members of the royal family.
According to the office, the Queen will spend the day at her residence in Sandringham, eastern England.