A file photo Britain's Queen Elizabeth II (L) seated on the Throne in the House of Lords next to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (R). PHOTO: AFP
LONDON: The Queen of England has now become the world’s oldest monarch, following the demise of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, reported The Telegraph.
Abdullah passed away earlier today (Friday) and was 90-years-old.
Queen Elizabeth II will turn 89 this April. She is one of eight octogenarian monarchs in the world, with others including the King of Thailand and the Emperor of Japan.
Although she now holds the honour of being the world’s oldest monarch, she is not the longest-reigning current monarch. That particular distinction goes to the king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who will celebrate 69 years on the throne in June. Adulyadej was only 18 when he was crowned as king.
The longest-reigning monarch of all time was Sobhuza II of Swaziland, who was on the throne for 82 years from 1899 to 1982, though the Egyptian pharaoh Pepi II is said to have reigned for up to 94 years, having come to the throne at the age of six. Some historians, however, believe he reigned for 64 years.
The Queen is the second-longest reigning monarch in British history, behind her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria, whose record she is due to surpass in September this year.
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God save the Queen.