Queen Elizabeth II's reign is the longest of any monarch in British history, and the longest serving female head of state ever. Her mark on British and world history equals or surpasses many others, including her predecessor Queen Victoria. She has been a pillar around which much of British life has revolved, and has reigned so long that for most of the population, she effectively served as a kind of national grandmother. Her legacy will be remembered for steadfastly ushering Britain into a new, post-imperial era.
