... was the oldest and longest–reigning British or English monarch in history, when she died on 8 September 2022. She was 96 years and 140 days old, and had reigned for 70 years and 214 days.
Both records had previously been held by Queen Victoria. She lived to be 81 years and 243 days old, and reigned for 63 years and 216 days. (George III had been just four days younger when he died – 81 years and 239 days; his reign was 59 years and 96 days.)
Elizabeth fell one year and 261 days short of being the longest–reigning monarch of any major European country. This record is held by Louis XIV of France, who came to the throne on 14 May 1643 (aged 4 years and 251 days) and died on 1 September 1715 (just four days before his 77th birthday). He reigned for 72 years and 110 days.
© Haydn Thompson 2025