The nation isn't celebrating the Queen's milestone, and nor should we, campaign group Republic has said.

The group has said keeping a job-for-life for life is not an achievement and instead reflects real need for radical democratic reform.

Graham Smith, Republic's CEO, said today:

"The Queen has survived this long in her role as head of state for one reason, she has never had to face election or be held to account."

"When anyone survives in public office for this long it is usually a sign of something wrong, either in the country's constitution or in the political culture.  There is either a lack of will to challenge that person or a lack of mechanism to remove them - or both."

"To say the Queen has succeeded by 'not putting a foot wrong' is to miss the point of a head of state and to set the bar for success very low indeed."

"The Queen has said nothing and done little that anyone can remember over 63 years in office.  So instead we see commentators and cheerleaders projecting the nation's history, changes and achievements onto the monarch."

"The reality is that the Queen has succeeded only in serving the monarchy and the status quo.  It is now time for the country to look to the future and to choose a successor through free and fair elections, someone who can genuinely represent the nation."