Queen renews her dedication to the nation in jubilee message David Cameron led tributes to the monarch, highlighting her "magnificent service" and thanking her for guiding the nation with "dignity and quiet authority." "Some people characterised the monarchy as simply 'a glittering ornament, a decoration on our national life," " he said. That misunderstands our constitution and it underestimates our Queen. Always dedicated, always resolute and always respected, she is a source of wisdom and continuity. All my life, and for the lives of most people in this country, she has always been there for us. Today, and this year, in the 60th anniversary of her reign, we have the chance to say thank you. The anniversary is marked by the release of two official portraits of the monarch, photographed at Buckingham Palace. In one, her window overlooks the Victoria Memorial Statue, which commemorates the reign of Queen Victoria, the only other monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. As she nears her 86th birthday, the Queen is already the oldest reigning monarch, and will overtake Queen Victoria as the longest-serving monarch if still on the throne in September 2015. The design of the 1st class stamp has been updated in honour of the jubilee. Its traditional gold background has been replaced with a blue colour scheme and the words "Diamond Jubilee" highlighted in iridescent ink. The stamp will revert to its original design in 2013.