Faye Rootes never doubted her idol would surpass the record held by Queen Victoria, who remained on the throne for 23,225 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes.

"The Queen is a wonderful woman who has been an important and constant part of my life," Mrs Rootes said.

"She has been a rock of stability despite all the changes in the world. It was a thrill to see her reach such a significant milestone."

Mrs Rootes was a young girl in 1952 when King George VI died. At 25 and with two young children, his daughter committed to a life of duty and service as Queen of the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations.

The coronation was a major event for Mrs Rootes who has collected press clippings, magazine photographs and other royal memorabilia throughout her life.

Close encounters with royalty are indelibly etched in her mind and she loves to talk about seeing the Queen in Dubbo and the day a car carrying the Queen Mother "almost ran me down" during a visit to London.

Mrs Rootes was a star-struck schoolgirl on February 10, 1954 when Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh came to Dubbo for the first time.

Excitement had been mounting in the district for weeks and it was almost overwhelming when the big moment finally came.

"I was among the thousands of school children lined up at the Dubbo showground as the Queen slowly went past in the open car," Mrs Rootes said.

"I got a bird's eye view as she took the time to wave this way and that.

"Her youth and beauty were truly amazing."

As a teenager Mrs Rootes grew up eager for news about the Queen and her sister Princess Margaret.

"I listened to royal broadcasts on radio, watched members of the family on old black and white newsreels and couldn't wait to read the latest stories in newspapers and magazines," she said.

"The introduction of television presented more opportunities to follow what the royals were doing."

The interest in all things royal continued unabated and culminated 25 years ago during a visit to London with husband Ted, also a passionate monarchist.

They saw the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace, stood in awe viewing the Crown jewels and visited Windsor Castle.

The biggest moment occurred out of the blue when Mrs Rootes was crossing the road outside Harrods department store.

"I was standing on the island in the middle of the road when the Queen Mother drove past in a royal car," she said.

"There were flags flying and I got the royal wave at close range. I was able to get a really good look at her and will always remember the lovely hat she was wearing.

"I laughingly say that the Queen Mother almost ran me down. It was just wonderful and the absolute highlight of our trip."

Mrs Rootes had another opportunity to get close to royalty on February 21, 1992 when the Queen and Prince Phillip returned to Dubbo.

She was working as the delicatessen manager at Woolworths Riverdale and raced into Macquarie Street carrying a milk crate.

"I stood on the crate to get a good view and wasn't disappointed as the official party was quite close to me near the Amaroo Hotel.

"The Queen had aged but still looked beautiful. The crowd was enormous and everyone was so excited."

Mrs Rootes is "not keen" on Charles becoming king because she doesn't like Camilla.

"I didn't like the way Charles and Camilla treated Diana who was only a teenaged girl when she married into the royal family," Mrs Rootes said.

"Perhaps it would have been better if Charles had been allowed to marry Camilla in the first place but at that time the palace would not allow the marriage.

"I thought Diana was lovely. Her death was really sad."

Mrs Rootes is not embarrassed about being a royalist and is pleased to see the Queen still attracts large crowds wherever she goes.

"People say the younger generation aren't interested in the royals but that is far from the truth judging by the reaction to William and Kate," she said.

"The younger royals have made themselves more relevant because they do normal sorts of things.

"Some people are keen for the crown to pass from the Queen to William but I don't think that would be fair because Charles has been a king-in-waiting for a very long time.

"It is quite possible that the Queen will continue to reign for many years to come.

"Like the rest of us, she is getting older and has the worries of all wives, mothers and grandmothers.

"Some of her children have not had happy marriages and there are problems about what family members are doing or should be doing.

"I think these are the things that make the Queen relevant. Despite the privilege of her circumstances she is just like the rest of us, getting on with what needs to be done.

"Phillip seems to have been a good husband, despite all the talk about dalliances with other women earlier in his life.

"Elizabeth appears to idolise him and they have stood by each other for a very long time.

"The Queen can get a frown on sometimes and appear to be a bit grumpy but I don't think she means to. It is probably because she gets tired.

"The Queen has spent so much of her life in a goldfish bowl on display all the time.

"I imagine that she looks forward to spending some quiet time at home having a simple dinner, watching television, doing the crossword or reading one of her favourite Agatha Christie novels."