02/06/2012 12:31
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 60 years on British throne
On Monday New Zealanders mark the fictional birthday of our head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating 60 years on the British throne. Andrew Stone asks what lies ahead, nzherald.co says.
This weekend, on the other side of the world, an elderly woman will start the day the way she always does: a pot of Earl Grey tea, some toast, BBC radio in the background, the Daily Telegraph at hand.
She may be reminded that four million people in a small Pacific nation are enjoying a long weekend in her name, possibly because she has just ticked off a few more royal honours. Oddly the extra day off will be called her birthday, though she clocked that up four months ago.
But then the usual rules do not apply to Queen Elizabeth II, New Zealand's absentee head of state since 1952. This year she clocks up 60 years on the throne, which has given the Brits an excuse to hold countless Diamond Jubilee events.
In British history, only the imposing Queen Victoria reigned longer. Elizabeth could overtake her great-great-grandmother in 2015.
The Queen is 86. She has been part of the furniture for so long that her latest waxwork image at Madame Tussauds in London is the 22nd version of the monarch.