Queen Elizabeth II: The Longest Reigning British Monarch

Posted September 9, 2015 by Amanda | No Comment

Today Queen Elizabeth II achieves a new milestone – not only is she the United Kingdom’s longest lived monarch, but she now holds the distinction of being the longest reigning monarch in British history. She surpasses Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years, seven months and two days on the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, June 1953 / Library and Archives Canada

Just like her second great grandmother, Queen Victoria, Elizabeth II was never expected to rule. She was the eldest daughter of King George V’s second son. But when her uncle, King Edward VIII abdicated the throne after less than a year, her father immediately acceded to the throne, ruling as King George VI, and making Elizabeth the new heir-presumptive.

She ascended to the throne on February 6, 1952 at the age of 25 after the death of her father. The Queen’s coronation ceremony the following year was the first to be televised. Her 63-year reign has seen 12 British Prime Ministers, 12 U.S. Presidents and 7 Popes in office. She has travelled the globe more than any other king or queen in the world, visiting 116 countries throughout her reign.

President Harry S. Truman and Princess Elizabeth, 1951 / Harry S. Truman Library & Museum

In 1951, she made her first visit to Washington D.C. as Princess while acting as a representative for her ailing father. It was during this visit that she first met President Harry S. Truman, who happens to be her 10th cousin once removed. Six years later, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first U.S. President to host the Queen. After World War II, President Eisenhower was awarded the British Order of Merit by her father, King George VI. Did you know Eisenhower is Queen Elizabeth II’s 14 cousin once removed? Elizabeth II has met every U.S. President since, with the exception of Lyndon B. Johnson.

Check out the royal family tree and discover how you’re related to the British monarch!

Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II for this historic milestone!