Queen Elizabeth has reigned over a period of time that stretches from Winston Churchill to David Cameron. (Courtesy Creative Commons/ Ree Saunders)

The queen will celebrate by attending the Epsom Derby on Saturday and leading a 1,000-boat flotilla down the River Thames Sunday. On Monday, Paul McCartney and Elton John will perform a concert at Buckingham palace and Tuesday will be marked by a religious service, a procession through the streets of London and the royal family appearing on the palace balcony.

Queen Elizabeth took the throne when she was just 25-years-old and Winston Churchill was prime minister. She is now 86.

"The country has lost its empire and is no longer in the front rank of power," Alan Watts, a member of the House of Lords, said. "And I really think that change has been enormously eased by her and what she represents. My feeling is she has enabled change by her reassurance of essential continuity."

Read more about the festivities at AP. 

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