Wearing a two-tone blue coat and matching hat, the Queen waved to crowds at Waverley Station in Edinburgh as she boarded a train on 9 September for the opening ceremony of the Scottish Borders railway, the longest new rail route to be built in the UK for more than 100 years. Britain's longest reigning monarch was accompanied by husband Prince Philip as she boarded the royal carriage, drawn by the steam locomotive Union of South Africa.
The Queen meets Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon at Waverley Station in Edinburgh before boarding the steam locomotive Union of South AfricaMark Runnacles/Getty ImagesThe Queen waves to crowds at Waverley Station from the window of the steam locomotive Union of South AfricaMark Runnacles/Getty ImagesLyra Crew, aged two, waits for the Queen and Prince Philip to arrive at Tweedbank Station in ScotlandPhil Noble/ReutersFour-month-old Harry Pettie holds a Union flag as people wait for the royals to arrive at Tweedbank StationChris Jackson/Getty ImagesPeople wait for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II at Waverley Station, before she boards the steam locomotiveMark Runnacles/Getty ImagesA Union flag is reflected in the window as the Queen sits onboard the steam locomotive Union of South Africa at Waverley StationMark Runnacles/Getty ImagesThe Royal Archers await the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II at Waverley Station, on the day she becomes Britain's longest reigning monarchAndrew Milligan/PoolThe steam locomotive Union of South Africa arrives at Waverley StationAndrew Milligan/PoolJim Smith, Steve Hanczar and Tony Jones work on the train ahead of the Queen's arrivalAndrew Milligan/PoolA commemorative badge is seen on the steam locomotive Union of South AfricaRussell Cheyne/ReutersThe steam locomotive Union of South Africa arrives at Waverley Station before departing with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of EdinburghMark Runnacles/Getty ImagesFirst Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip sit on board the steam locomotive Union of South AfricaAndrew Milligan/PoolQueen Elizabeth II opens Newtongrange Station after arriving on the steam locomotive the Union of South AfricaJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe Queen receives bouquets from well-wishers in the waiting crowdJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe camera phones are out as the Queen pauses to greet the crowdJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe Queen smiles broadly enjoying the warmth of the Scottish crowdJeff J Mitchell/Getty ImagesThe Queen leaves Newtongrange Station on the steam locomotive the Union of South AfricaJeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
At about 5.30pm on Wednesday 9 September 2015, Queen Elizabeth II surpasses the 63 years, 7 months, 2 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes that her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria spent on the throne.
