Who was the longest-reigning British monarch?
Queen Elizabeth II is the longest-reigning British monarch. She reigned for 70 years and 214 days, from February 6, 1952, until her death on September 8, 2022.
Elizabeth became queen at 25 after the death of her father, King George VI, while she was on a royal tour in Kenya. Her coronation at Westminster Abbey in June 1953 was one of the first major events broadcast live on television around the world.
She passed the record of her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, who reigned for 63 years and 216 days, on September 9, 2015. In 2022, she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. During her reign, she worked with 15 British prime ministers.
World records
Elizabeth II is the second-longest-reigning monarch of a sovereign country in verified history, behind King Louis XIV of France, who reigned for 72 years and 110 days. She was succeeded by her eldest son, who became King Charles III.
Did You Know?
Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to send an email, in 1976, and she visited more than 100 countries during her reign.