SLIDESHOW: Grantham service and toast to Queen’s record-breaking reign

A special service has taken place in Grantham today to mark Queen Elizabeth II becoming our longest reigning monarch.

It was organised by the Mayor of Grantham, Jacky Smith, who thought that the historic day should be commemorated in the town.

“The fact that she is the longest serving monarch, I thought it should be marked in some way here,” said Mayor Smith. “There was a reading of the promises the Princess Elizabeth made at the Privy Council, and I also read out the actual proclamation which I believe was read out at the Market Cross in Grantham when she became Queen in 1952.

“Afterwards we went back into the parlour and had a royal toast.”

Father Stuart Cradduck, rector of St Wulfram’s gave a prayer during the service, and the Union flag was raised.

Mayor Smith added: “The proclamation itself was historic and I think today was historic and needed to be marked.”