London, Dec 21: Queen Elizabeth II has become the oldest-ever living monarch of the United Kingdom at the age of 81.

Born on April 21, 1926, Elizabeth ascended the throne in February 1952, when she was 25 years old.

Over the years Elizabeth has seen many things, which include becoming a grandmother for the eighth time, with Prince Edward and his wife Sophie welcoming a baby boy.

Also, the Queen has received many unusual gifts including jaguars, sloths, beaver, an elephant, pineapples, eggs, snail shells, maple trees and 7kg of prawns.

In her lifespan, she has visited a mosque in the UK in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire in July 2002. She has sent around 100,000 telegrams to centenarians in the UK and the Commonwealth, as well as launched 23 ships.

It is horse breeding in which the Queen takes a keen interest and the horses bred at the Royal studs have won virtually every major race in Britain

The Queen is a Patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association. One of the Queen's birds is called Sandringham Lightning.

Since 1952, she has conferred more than 387,700 honours and awards.

Also, she is the only British monarch in history properly trained to change a spark plug.

With her royalty, she does not have, or need, a passport or a driving licence.

Also, she is the proud owner of the world’s largest and finest private art collection. (ANI)