PUBLISHED:21:13 AEST, 12 June 2022|UPDATED:21:14 AEST, 12 June 2022
The Queen has reached an incredible new milestone after becoming the world's second longest reigning monarch.
Her Majesty, 96, will overtakeThailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who reigned for 70 years and 126 days between 1946 and 2016, from today.
Earlier this month, the Queen surpassed Johan II of Liechtenstein, who reigned for 70 years and 91 days, until his death in February 1929.
Louis XIV ofFranceremains the longest-reigning monarch, with a 72-year and 110-day reign from 1643 until 1715, while the Queen's stint on the throne now stands at 70 years and 126 day, equal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej's.
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The Queen has reached a new milestone today, after becoming the world's second longest reigning monarch with 70 years and 126 days on the throne under her belt
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Prince Johan II of Liechtenstein, who reigned for 70 years and 91 days, until his death in February 1929
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King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thaliand pictured with the Queen during a state visit to the UK in July 1960
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Louis XIV of France (pictured), known as Louis the Great, became King at the tender age of four following the death of his father Louis XIII, and ruled from 14 May 1643 to 1 September 1715
The milestone comes as Her Majesty celebrated her Platinum Jubilee last week, with four days of parades, street parties, and other events, after officially reaching the milestone on February 6 this year.
After the success of the jubilee she released a statement thanking the nation saying she had been 'humbled and deeply touched' and that 'this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come'.
She added in the statement: 'While I may not have attended every event in person, my heart has been with you all; and I remain committed to serving you to the best of my ability, supported by my family.'
This record joins the Queen's many other accolades - including her title as the longest-living reigning monarch.
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Four generations of the Royal family appeared on the Buckingham Palace balcony: Camilla, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Princess Charlotte of Cambridge, Prince Louis of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
Her Majesty became the longest-reigning British monarch in September 2015, surpassing her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria.
The longest-reigning monarchs
1.Louis XIV of France: 72 years, 110 days
Known as Louis the Great or the Sun King, the French monarch became King on 14 May 1643 at the age of four following the death of his father Louis XIII , and remained on the throne until 1 September 1715. He left behind the incredible legacy of the Palace of Versailles, although his country was in debt after the 13-year-long War of Spanish succession.
2. Queen Elizabeth II: 70 years, 126 days
Her Majesty becamse Quen aged on 6th February 1952. Elizabeth was not originally destined to become Queen. However, she became heir presumptive after her father, King George VI, ascended to the throne following the abdication of his older brother, King Edward VIII.
3. Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand: 70 years, 126 days
During his reign, he was served by a total of 30 prime ministers, from 9 June 1946 to 13 October 2016. Seen as being close to the divine by the Thai people, those who criticised the monarchy were imprisoned or forced into exile.
4. Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein: 70 years, 91 days
Johann reigned from 12 November 1858, when he took the throne aged 18, to 11 February 1929. He made Liechtenstein a constitutional monarchy in 1921 and was known as a patron of the arts. But he was renowned for being antisocial and avoided public events. He never married and didn't live in the royal palace.
5. K'inich Janaab Pakal of Palenque: 68 years, 33 days.
Pakal ruled the Maya city state of Palenque from 29 July 615 to 31 August 683 AD.
Pakal the Great is thought to have ascended to the throne at the age of 12- years-old and during his rule managed to expand Palenque's power in the western Maya states.
In March 2020, the Queen surpassed K'inich Janaab Pakal who ruled the Maya city state of Palenque for 68 years and 33 days before his death in 683AD.
Pakal the Great is thought to have ascended to the throne at the age of 12- years-old and during his rule managed to expand Palenque's power in the western Maya states.
The Mayan civilisation reached its peak between 250 and 900 AD, when it ruled large swathes of what is now southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Honduras.
Louis XIV of France, known as Louis the Great, became King at the tender age of four following the death of his father Louis XIII, and ruled from 14 May 1643 to 1 September 1715.
The Queen has remained one of the most poised public figures in the world in the course of her 70-year reign, rarely revealing her emotions in public.
Today, however, an insider has revealed that the huge outpouring of thanks from the British public and from around the Commonwealth left her ‘tearful and overwhelmed with emotion’ during the grand finale of the Jubilee celebrations last Sunday.
For many commentators, the high point of the four-day event came when the Queen appeared on the balcony ofBuckingham Palaceafter thePlatinum JubileePageant.
Dressed in a vibrant green Stewart Parvin crepe wool dress and coat with matching hat by Rachel Trevor-Morgan, the Queen was seen standing next to a slimmed-down version of the official working members of theRoyal Family.
Yet the historic moment nearly didn’t happen at all.
A source said: ‘The Queen only decided that she would go to London about three hours before the balcony appearance.
‘She was not feeling brilliant but the Prince of Wales had called her and told her she really ought to come if she could.
‘He told her there were so many people desperate to see her and he convinced her to come.’
Bound by duty, the Queen travelled from Windsor to London and was astonished by the goodwill shown to her when she arrived.
A source said: ‘The Queen was totally overwhelmed by the number of people waiting to see her – she had tears in her eyes before she stepped out on the balcony.’
Meanwhile, social media users rushed to congratulate the Queen on her milestone today.
One said: 'Today Her Majesty the Queen is now the second longest reigning monarch, longest-reigning incumbent monarch and the longest-reigning female monarch in history. Congratulations Your Majesty.'
Another wrote on Twitter: 'She keeps racking up these historical events. Congratulations.'
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Reaction: Social media users rushed to congratulate the Queen on her milestone today
(21 Jul 1960) Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip arrived at Victoria Station to welcome King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand. After greetings from the Royal Family and Government and civic leaders, the party left to drive to the Palace. The Sovereign's Escort of Household Cavalry led the sparkling pageant down the Royal route.
Various shots as Lord Mayor's procession arrives, and there is some confusion as to is seating arrangement. WS They stand for the National Anthem. LS. as the Lord Mayor starts to speak, he welcomes the King Adulyadej Bhumibol of Thailand and Queen Sirikit and thanks them warmly for the model of the royal barge which they have presented to him. The model stands on the table in front of him. Says this is the first time a reigning monarch of Thai has come to this country on a state visit. CU. Queen Sirikit listening. CU. King Bhumibol. CU. Lord Mayor goes onto thank the country of of Thai for Their hospitality towards two organisations S.E.A.T.O. and U.N.E.C.A.F.E. Various shots the Lord Mayor continues speaking, then asks the assembly to join him in a toast to the King and Queen of Thailand, they all stand. LS. MS. as King and Queen of Thailand rise to the applause of the assembly and the Lord Mayor. King of Thailand replying: thanks the Lord Mayor for the warm welcome they have received, and that the present of the royal barge model is just a small token of their appreciation for the kindness they have received in the City of London. Says he feels sure that this state visit will strengthen the ties between the two countries. CU David Eccles smoking a cigar. MS Earl Attlee smoking , pan to Lady Attlee. Various shots of King of Thailand speaking, says that Princess Alexandra's visit to his country helped strengthen the ties between the two royal houses, and in conclusion asks the assembly to join him in a toast to the city of London and its people. CU. Princess Alexandra. CU Thai official.
