The Queen has become the second longest-serving monarch of all time

Her Majesty has overtaken the King of Thailand

Author: Chris MaskeryPublished 13th Jun 2022
Last updated 13th Jun 2022

Queen Elizabeth II has today become the second longest-serving monarch in history.

Her Majesty is already the UK's longest-serving monarch and a few weeks ago became the first to have a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years on the throne.

Today (13th June 2022) she became the second-longest serving in world history by overtaking King Bhumibol of Thailand who ruled for 70 years and 126 days, from 9th June 1947 to 13th October 2016.

Today, her reign stands at 70 years and 127 days having ascended to the throne on the 6th February 1952 after the death of her father, King George VI.

However, she has nearly two years to go before becoming the longest-reigning ruler in history, that title is held by King Louis XIV of France, who ruled for 72 years and 110 days having ascended to the throne aged just 4 years old.

Some of the longest-reigning monarchs of all time:

Louis XIV King of France

Louis XIV is the longest-reigning monarch in history, he reigned from 14th May 1643 until 1st September 1715 — a total of 72 years and 110 days.

Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II is currently the second-longest reigning monarch in the world having been on the throne for over 70 years: 6 February 1952 – the present. She surpassed Thailand's Rama IX on the 13th June 2022. She is already the longest serving UK monarch and the longest reigning incumbent monarch.

Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX) King of Thailand

Bhumibol Adulyadej, pictured here with the Queen, reigned for 70 years and 126 days in Thailand and has the third-longest reign of any monarch in history. From 5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016.

Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein

Johann II was the Prince of Liechtenstein between 1858 and 1929. His reign of 70 years and 91 days is the fourth-longest.

Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

Queen Victoria was Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death in 1901. Her reign, known as the Victorian era, lasted 63 years and seven months, making her the eighth longest-serving monarch in world history.

Emperor Hirohito of Japan

Emperor Hirohito was the 124th emperor of Japan. He reigned from 1926 until his death in 1989, putting him in 10th place on a list of the longest-serving monarchs.

READ MORE: Memorable moments of The Queen's 70 years on the throne

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