today marks the 80th birthday of her son queen elizabeth ii , whose reign has lasted over 54 years . her majesty became the next female to become the sovereign like queen victoria , who died in 1901 after a 64 - year reign . she was crowned on june 2 , 1953 , in westminster abbey . it was the first reign that was watched live . she is founder of sixteen independent kingdoms known as the commonwealth realms , which includes the united kingdom .
United Kingdom includes the Commonwealth Realms.