FYI, Queen Elizabeth II Was Not the Longest-Reigning Monarch in the World

On September 8, 2022, the British royal family confirmed the death of Queen Elizabeth II at age 96.

"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," a tweet from the family read. "The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

Charles, who became King Charles III at the moment of his mother's death, released a statement of his own: "The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."

The statement concludes, "During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."

As the media continues to cover the expansive legacy of the late monarch, it's important to note that Queen Elizabeth II was not actually the longest-reigning monarch in the world.

To be clear, it is accurate to say that she was the longest-reigning British monarch, having served the country for 70 years. But the title of the longest-reigning monarch in the world still belongs to France’s King Louis XIVstrong>. While Elizabeth famously became queen at age 25, Louis XIV was just four years old when he was named king, according to Biography.com. Due to Louis's young age, his mother, Anne, served and leaned on Louis's godfather, Cardinal Jules Mazarin, to step in as chief minister and de facto ruler. Louis was coronated at age 15 but gained total control of France after Mazarin's death seven years later. Louis, also known as the "Sun King," officially reigned for 72 years and 110 days, per BBC.

Here's a list of the top five longest-reigning monarchs in world history:

1. King Louis XIV of France (72 years, 110 days)

2. Queen Elizabeth II of Britain (70 years, 7 months, 2 days)
   

3. Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great of Thailand (70 years, 126 days)

4. Johann II of Liechtenstein (70 years, 91 days)

5. K’inich Janaab Pakal of the Maya city-state of Palenque (68 years, 33 days)

Given that Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne immediately upon her father King George VI's death in 1952 and promptly took up her father's duties, the argument could be made that she is the longest-serving monarch in world history, depending on your definition of "serving." But regardless of the length of her reign compared to the world rulers before her, there's no question that her role and impact in modern history will always be remembered.

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