The late Queen Elizabeth II was the longest reigning British monarch in history, and the second-longest reigning monarch of all time.
Queen Elizabeth II acceded to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI on February 6th, 1952. She was 25-years-old at the time, and remained Queen until her death on September 8, 2022. She was Queen for a whopping 70 years and 214 days.
The second-longest reigning British monarch was Queen Elizabeth’s great grandmother, Queen Victoria. She’s currently ranked at number 10 for longest reigning monarch of all time, having reigned for 63 years and 216 days.
The length of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign is remarkable, because the only monarch who reigned for longer than her was King Louis XIV of France, and he became King at the age of four. Where Queen Elizabeth II died at 96, King Louis XIV died at 76.
Now, the world enters a period of mourning, as the United Kingdom prepares for a state funeral like no other. Meanwhile, King Charles III will be officially proclaimed King on Saturday, September 10, before heading off on a tour of the United Kingdom.
Here are the top five longest reigning monarchs in history.
Related: Queen Elizabeth II Has Passed Away Aged 96
Related: What Happens After the Queen Dies? All the Royal Protocols
Related: When Will King Charles III Replace the Queen on Our Money?
Related: What Happens If the British Monarchy Crumbles?
Related: When Will Queen Elizabeth II’s Funeral Be Held? The Details of a Once in a Lifetime Event
Related: Australians Might Be Getting a Public Holiday to Mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Death
5. Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin II, Kedah (Malaysia)
15 February 1710 — 23 September 1778 (68 years, 220 days)
Widely known to be the founder of Alor Setar, the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia, the Sultan has many landmarks devoted to him.
4. Prince Johann II, Liechtenstein
12 November 1858 — 11 February 1929 (70 years, 91 days)
Johann II the Good, the Prince of Liechtenstein, became the Prince just after his 18th birthday. Still in school at the time, the Prince appointed his mother, Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau, to fulfil his duties from 10 February 1859 to November 1860, while he completed his education.
3. King Rama IX, Thailand
9 June 1946 — 13 October 2016 (70 years, 126 days)
King Bhumibol Adulyadej was the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri dynasty, titled Rama IX. He is the only monarch to have been born in the United States, as he was born while his father was studying at Harvard. He had two older siblings, Princess Galyani Vadhana, and Prince Ananda Mahidol, and became King after his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, was fatally shot.
2. Queen Elizabeth II, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, United Kingdom
6 February 1952 — 8 September 2022 (70 years, 214 days)
The longest reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II is also the Queen of 14 other Elizabeth was also Queen of 14 other Commonwealth realms, as well as the UK.
1. King Louis XIV, France
14 May 1643 — 1 September 1715 (72 years, 110 days)
Born in 1638, Louis XIV became king at age 4 after his father, Louis XIII, died. He remained on the throne for the next 72 years, making him the longest reigning monarch in history, despite dying at a much younger age than Queen Elizabeth II.
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.
