Britain’s Queen becomes the world’s second-longest reigning monarch

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.

Crowned in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-serving British monarch in September 2015, surpassing her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria. Now she has overtaken Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years and 126 days between 1927 and 2016, to set another record. Louis XIV of France remains the longest-reigning monarch, with a 72-year and 110-day reign from 1643 until 1715.