LONDON: Queen Elizabeth surpassed George III Thursday to become the second-longest reigning British monarch in more than 1,000 years of history. Only Queen Victoria spent more time on the throne. The 85-year-old Elizabeth II, who acceded to the throne on Feb. 6, 1952, has now ruled for 59 years and 95 days, more than every other monarch bar Victoria in more than 1,000 years of British history when leap-year days are included. The queen, who celebrates her diamond jubilee next year, will become the longest reigning monarch in Sept. 2015. Last month, Prince Charles, 62, broke the record for spending the longest time as heir-to-the-throne.
