Phil Mason and Jan Favager, who traveled to London from outside Liverpool, planned their trip a year ago to make sure they could get an affordable hotel room. “She’s done such a great, wonderful job,” Mr. Mason said. “I think she’s a lovely lady.”
Strictly speaking, Elizabeth has not yet set the longevity record for any monarch. Louis XIV of France, Johann II of Liechtenstein and Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand were all on the throne for more than 70 years. But she is the longest-reigning British monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria, who ruled for almost 64 years, and the longest-reigning queen of any country.
There were, inevitably, a few discordant notes. Graham Smith, who runs Republic, a group that favors abolishing the monarchy, said he planned to mark the jubilee with an anti-monarchy conference this weekend.
“I certainly don’t view her with any kind of admiration,”…
