Queen Elizabeth II has become the second longest reigning monarch, just a week after celebrating her Platinum Jubilee.
She has now overtaken King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who sat on the throne for 70 years and 126 days before his death in 2016.
It means that the Queen is now second only to Louis XIV of France, who reigned for 72 years and 110 days.
The UK celebrated her Jubilee over an extended bank holiday weekend with events such as street parties and special television broadcasts.
The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall appeared as star guests in an episode of Eastenders and Ed Sheeran performed at the Platinum Jubilee Pageant.
Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee marked her officially reaching 70 years on the throne – here’s how that compares to the longest-reigning monarchs in the UK and around the world.
1. Louis XIV of France, 72 years 110 days
Louis XIV, the “Sun King”, took the French throne as a small boy and reigned from 1643 until 1715.
The king led his country through many wars during a turbulent period, such as the Franco-Dutch War, War of the League of Augsburg and the War of the Spanish Succession.
2. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, 70 years 127 days
3. Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, 70 years 126 days
Bhumibol Adulyadej reigned from 1946 to 2016, and was served by a total of 30 prime ministers.
Forbes estimated his fortune to be $30bn (£25bn), topping the list of world’s richest royals from 2008 to 2013.
4. Johann II of Liechtenstein, 70 years 91 days
Johann II took the throne of Liechtenstein in 1858 and remained king until 1929, issuing the country’s first constitution in 1862 and then granting another one in 1921.
He oversaw the country’s neutrality during the First World War and forged a relationship with Switzerland which led to the Swiss franc becoming Liechtenstein’s official currency.
5. K’inich Janaab’ Pakal of Palenque (modern day Chiapas, Mexico), 68 years 33 days
Also known as Pakal the Great, he reigned from 615 until 683, and oversaw such architectural creations as the Temple of the Inscriptions, a large Mesoamerican stepped pyramid structure and his own carved sarcophagus lid.
1. Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, 70 years 127 days
2. Queen Victoria, 63 years 216 days
Queen Victoria succeeded William IV in 1837 and reigned until her death in 1901.
She held the record for longest reign as monarch before Elizabeth II surpassed her and ruled during the industrial revolution and heights of the British Empire.
3. George III, 59 years 96 days
George III, who reigned from 1760 to 1820 oversaw arguably the most notable declaration of independence from a former Empire state when America forced the British surrender in 1782.
The king fought illness throughout 1788-89 and 1801 before he became mentally unfit to rule in 1810, with his son George IV taking on responsibility as Prince Regent.
4. James VI of Scotland, 57 years 246 days
James VI assumed the throne of Scotland in 1567 at 15 years old after his father was killed in battle, and 36 years later became James I of England.
He spoke multiple languages and ordered a translation of the Bible which is now known as the King James version.
5. Henry III, 56 years 19 days
Henry III became King at the age of nine in 1216 and oversaw the confirmation of the Magna Carta which created the “rule of law,” a key part of our constitution to this day.
6. Edward III, 50 years 147 days
Edward III was 14 when he took the crown in 1327, and became an able soldier who led England into the Hundred Years’ war.
He controlled over a quarter of France by 1360, establishing a claim for English kings to the French throne which lasted until the 19th century.
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