'I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service' Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was 70 years - our longest reigning monarch. Pictured here is The Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) delivering a radio address on her 21st birthday, recorded in the garden of Government House in Cape Town. In the speech, the future Queen paid tribute to the people of the Empire and Commonwealth and dedicated her life to serving them.