(CMR) Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating her Platinum Jubilee to mark 70 years of reign, achieved another record on Sunday when she overtook Thailand's King to become the world's second-longest reigning monarch in history, after France's Louis XIV.
Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej reigned for 70 years and 126 days between 1927 and 2016. Louis XIV of France remains the longest-reigning monarch, with a 72-year and 110-day reign from 1643 until 1715.
Queen Elizabeth II, who was crowned in 1953, officially reached 70 years of rule on 6 February. Last weekend, her Platinum Jubilee was marked with four days of celebrations across the UK and British Overseas territories.
She became the longest-serving British monarch in September 2015, surpassing her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. If the Queen is still reigning in May 2024, she will take the title of the longest-reigning monarch of a sovereign state.
Following the recent celebrations, the 96-year-old thanked the nation in a letter, saying that she had been “humbled and deeply touched.” She said, “this renewed sense of togetherness will be felt for many years to come.”
“When it comes to how to mark 70 years as your Queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first,” the letter read.
“I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee,” she said.
The Queen, who has mobility problems, has been taking on fewer official duties recently, with the Cambridges and Prince Charles and Camilla taking a more prominent role.
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