LONG TO REIGN OVER US!
None of Queen Elizabeth II’s predecessors ruled as long as she has – but some came close!
Queen Victoria 1837-1901, 63 years and 7 months
Victoria witnessed a massive expansion of the British Empire during times of great economic, political and societal change. With her husband Prince Albert, they produced nine children, but their happy marriage was cut short by his death at the age of 42 in 1861. Victoria never got over it and entered into a state of permanent mourning, wearing black until she died 40 years later.
George III 1760-1820, 59 years and 3 months
During his reign, George led Britain to victory in the Seven Years’ War, resisted Napoleonic France, and presided over the British defeat in the American Revolution. George III was devoted to his wife, Charlotte of MecklenburgStrelitz. They had 15 children, 13 of whom reached adulthood, and he bought Buckingham House (now Palace) for his wife to use as a family home.
Henry III 1216-1272, 56 years and one month
Henry was just nine when he became King of England. He went on to marry Eleanor of Provence, with whom he had five children, and during his reign saw the confirmation of 1215’s Magna Carta, the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey and the establishment of the first parliament.
Edward III 1327-1377, 50 years and 4 months
Another boy king, Edward was only 14 when he was crowned. He was famous for his victories in the Hundred Years War with France and for restoring royal authority after the disastrous reign of his father, Edward II. He was also a great builder – he remodelled the Palace of Westminster, added a series of private chambers to the Palace as well as completing St Stephen’s Chapel. He was succeeded by his 10-year-old grandson, King Richard II.
Elizabeth I 1558-1603, 44 years and 4 months
Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn’s daughter is said to have restored the kingdom to its former glory by defeating the Spanish Armada and keeping England out of war. Her reign saw the Church of England established, along with a great flourishing of English culture, especially literature and architecture. Elizabeth never married, nor did it seem she ever intended to, as marriage for her would have meant giving up her power, her throne, and her country to a man.
James VI of Scotland was Elizabeth’s successor after her death in 1603.