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Queen Elizabeth II is two years away from becoming the longest-reigning monarch in history. As of Monday, the 96-year-old queen is already the second-longest reigning monarch in the world, having served the U.K. and Commonwealth for at least 70 years and 127 days.
The queen broke a royal record and became the third-longest reigning monarch six weeks ago when she surpassed the reign of Johann II of Liechtenstein, who died in 2016 after ruling the principality for 70 years and 91 days.
She ascended in the royal record once again Monday when she surpassed King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who ruled the Asian country for 70 years and 126 days before he died in 2016.
The monarch who currently holds the record for having the longest reign in history is King Louis XIV, who ruled France for 72 years and 110 days. He took over the throne in 1643 when he was only 4 and ruled throughout the golden age of arts and culture in the European country.
Meanwhile, Queen Elizabeth II was coronated on June 2, 1953, at the age of 25. Earlier this month, the royal family celebrated her historic Platinum Jubilee, which is observed to mark the 70th anniversary of a monarch.
The celebration was packed with festivities in and around the Buckingham Palace, including the traditional Trooping the Colour, a Service of Thanksgiving and the Platinum Party at the Palace concert. A Platinum Jubilee pageant was also held to celebrate the milestone.
As the festivities concluded on June 5, Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside Prince Charles, the first in line to the throne, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Prince William, Kate Middleton and their children were also with them.
In a statement in honor of the event, the queen expressed her gratitude to the public for supporting her all these years. “When it comes to how to mark 70 years as your queen, there is no guidebook to follow. It really is a first,” she said. “But I have been humbled and deeply touched that so many people have taken to the streets to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.”
Photo: Reuters / MOLLY DARLINGTON
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