(ORDO NEWS) — The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in honor of her 70th birthday on the throne took place from 2 to 5 June 2022. This luxurious four-day event included horse racing and an Elton John concert.
Britain has had many kings and queens. But which of them reigned the longest?
The British Monarchy has been in existence for over 1200 years. During this time, 61 monarchs ruled the country.
All of these various rulers trace their lineage back to the first king of England, Athelstan, but the family ties between them are not always linear. Which of the 61 monarchs ruled the longest and least?
Queen of England who ruled the least
Lady Jane Grey, who ruled England for only nine days in July 1553, is considered the monarch with the shortest reign.
Lady Jane was only a teenager when the then ruler, King Edward VI, died. She was reported to have fainted on learning that she must take his place.
Lady Jane’s ascent was swift and calculated. Her father-in-law, John Dudley, was determined to maintain power and keep Edward’s half-sister, Mary Tudor, from taking the throne.
So he declared Mary illegitimate on the basis of her Catholic faith and then put Jane in her place. Unfortunately, Dudley’s machinations backfired – shortly after Jane was overthrown, he was beheaded. Lady Jane and her husband (John Dudley’s son) were executed a few months later.
Which English monarch reigned the longest?
The British monarch with the longest reign is none other than Queen Elizabeth II herself. The Queen, now 96 years old, ascended the throne on February 6, 1952 at the age of twenty-five, following the death of her father, King George VI.
Her coronation was the first (and so far the only one in UK history) to be televised. However, in the world, Elizabeth ranks third in the list of the most “long-reigning” monarchs with her 70 years of reign: today 70 years and 4 months.
The second longest reign so far belongs to the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), who ruled for 70 years 4 months 5 days (from June 9, 1946 to October 13, 2016).
Elizabeth II in just a week will become the second longest-serving monarch in history.
In the first place is the King of France Louis XIV with his 72-year reign. But Queen Elizabeth II has every chance to surpass him.
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