Elizabeth will become Britain's longest-reigning monarch on Sept 9

London

QUEEN Elizabeth, who rallied support for the monarchy despite presiding over what was once known as the world's most famous dysfunctional family, next month becomes Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

She never expected to take the throne and only did so because her uncle abdicated, but on Sept 9 she will beat the record held by her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for more than 63 years. "It is a job for life," the 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth once said, and unlike some European monarchs recently, and even a pope, she is not expected to abdicate.