Categories: Global

Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Second-Longest Serving Monarch after Louis XIV of France

The Queen has become the second-longest serving sovereign monarch in history.

As of Monday, she has been on the throne for 70 years and 127 days, second only to Louis XIV of France who became king at the age of four.

She overtakes Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in 2016, having equalled his reign on Sunday.

Last weekend, the 96-year-old’s Platinum Jubilee was marked with four days of celebrations across the UK.

She had officially reached 70 years of rule on 6 February, with the extended bank holiday weekend chosen for the Jubilee events.

Many of the events – including a pageant, Trooping the Colour and a star-studded concert at Buckingham Palace – involved an outdoor element more suited to summer months.

If the Queen is still reigning in May 2024 she would take the title of the longest reigning monarch of a sovereign state.

Louis XIV’s reign of 72 years and 110 days was from 1643 to 1715. But he only started to rule personally in his 20s, in 1661.

The Queen became monarch at the age of 25, following the death of her father in the early hours of 6 February 1952.

In September 2015, she became the longest-reigning British monarch when she surpassed the reign of her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria.

She said at the time it was not a title “to which I have ever aspired”. She also became the longest reigning female monarch in world history on that day.

Her other records include being the oldest reigning queen ever and the oldest British monarch ever.

The Queen, who has mobility problems, has been taking on fewer official duties recently, with her family members – notably the Cambridges and Prince Charles and Camilla – taking a more prominent role.

She delighted many by appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony during the Jubilee weekend and it is not yet known when she will appear in public next. One occasion could be the Royal Ascot, a favourite event of the horse-loving Queen which is taking place this week, but she missed last year’s meet.

At the close of the Jubilee weekend, she said in a letter of thanks to the British public that she was “humbled and deeply touched” by the number of people to have celebrated alongside her.

She was absent at some of the events, but said “my heart has been with you all”, adding: “I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.”

BBC

Follow us on:

AriseNews

Recent Posts

President Tinubu Orders Probe Into Prosecution Of Minors From #EndBadGovernance Protests

President Tinubu has ordered an investigation into the arrest, prosecution of minors involved in #EndBadGovernance…

7 hours ago

Musk’s Lawyer Defends $1M-a-Day Giveaway, Denies Illegal Lottery Claims

Musk's $1M giveaway is under legal scrutiny in a Pennsylvania court case as it targets…

7 hours ago

Badenoch Unveils Shadow Cabinet with Jenrick As Shadow Justice Secretary, Patel As Shadow Foreign Secretary

Kemi Badenoch has appointed former rivals Jenrick, Patel, and Stride to senior roles in her…

7 hours ago

Boeing Workers Vote On New Contract To End Seven-Week Strike

Boeing workers voted Monday on a new contract to end a seven-week strike

7 hours ago

Former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa Arrested By EFCC For Alleged N1.3 Trillion Diversion

EFCC has arrested ex-Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa for alleged misuse of oil derivation funds, diverting…

7 hours ago

Search for Missing Persons Continues After Deadly Valencia Floods

Barcelona faces severe flooding as search and rescue efforts continue.

10 hours ago