Queen Elizabeth II lived for 96 years, ruled for more than 70 and was married for more than seven decades. Her reign saw her travel the globe, receive tens of thousands of cards – and even accumulate Instagram followers.
By Lara Keay, news reporter
Friday 9 September 2022 09:21, UK
As the longest-reigning monarch in British history, the Queen broke a number of records.
Not only was she on the throne the longest – she also sent the most letters, met with the most prime ministers and had the longest marriage.
From Royal Variety performances to her beloved corgis, a look at Queen Elizabeth II’s life and reign in numbers.
500 million – Viewers tuned in to watch the Queen’s Silver Jubilee on television in 1977
50 million – The UK population when Elizabeth took the throne in 1952 – it now stands at around 67.1 million
11.1 million – Followers of the Royal Family on Instagram at the time of the Queen’s death
97,500 – Christmas puddings given to Palace staff throughout her reign – a tradition of her father and grandfather’s
85,000 – People who sat down to a Big Jubilee Lunch to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee in 2022
35,000 – Contestants who applied to design the Diamond Jubilee emblem in 2012. The Blue Peter competition was won by a 10-year-old girl from Chester
23,226 – Number of days she had reigned for when she overtook her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria as the longest-serving monarch in British history
17,420 – Pieces of post received by the Queen in the week of her 90th birthday
16,000 – People were involved in the Queen’s coronation procession in 1953, which stretched for almost two miles
1,333 – Diamonds encrusted on the crown the Queen wore for her coronation – the George IV State Diadem – which also has 169 pearls
600 – Charities and organisations the Queen was a patron of, 400 of which were inherited from her father on his death in 1952
82 – State visits made to foreign countries during her reign
73 years, four months, 20 days – Time of marriage to Prince Philip, making them the only royal couple to celebrate their platinum wedding anniversary
50 – Number of years, as head of the Church of England, she waited until visiting a mosque – choosing one in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire for her first visit in July 2002
40th – Monarch since William the Conqueror obtained the crown of England
39 – Royal Variety performances attended – her first in 1945 and last in 2012
35 – Countries have issued coins with images of the Queen
30 – Corgis owned during her reign – the first, Susan, at the age of 18, and the last two a pair of puppies gifted to her during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020
23 – Different waxworks showcased of her by Madame Tussauds
15 – Prime ministers in office during her reign, who each had weekly audiences with the Queen
13 – US presidents she met – Lyndon B Johnson was the only one she missed
7 – Popes she met during her reign
3 – Divorced children, making their mother the first monarch with that many divorced children – Anne, Charles and Andrew
2 – Crowns worn on her coronation day – St Edward’s Crown for the ceremony and the Imperial State Crown for the procession and balcony appearance at Buckingham Palace
