- Queen Elizabeth II ruled from 1952 to her death in 2022
- Her 70-year reign easily surpassed the former British record
- The Queen was pretty close to breaking the world record
Queen Elizabeth II passed away in 2022 after 70 years on the throne and at 96 years of age.
Her 70 year and 214 day reign, to be exact, well surpassed the former longest duration in British history. That was Queen Victoria's 63 years and 216 days.
But it turns out the late Queen didn't quite reach the all-time world record for longest reign. Though she was pretty close.
Queen Elizabeth II was under two years away from history
At the time of her death, Queen Elizabeth II stood behind only the reign of France's King Louis XIV. His rule lasted 72 years and 110 days.
So, the Queen would have required about another year and a half on the throne to surpass the 17th-century French King.
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But it is worth noting: Louis XIV actually ascended the throne at the age of only 4! He didn't truly take power until he was in his early 20s.
Nevertheless, the King's reign is recognized to have started from his young age, even if he wasn't yet calling the shots.
Queen Elizabeth II, on the other hand, ruled from the age of 25 in 1952 until her death in 2022.
Months before her passing, the Queen had outlasted the 70 year, 126 day reign of Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
That gave her the second longest confirmed reign in world history.
