The Queen Just Reached Another Milestone That No One Expected
Most people in the world were likely aware of some element of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. If nothing else, folks all over the world delighted in Prince Louis' unexpected yet adorable display of boredom at the Trooping the Colour parade, in which the 4-year-old pretty much showed us every face he is capable of making. Or perhaps Prince George's relatable reaction to his little brother's over-the-top antics was the highlight of the celebration in your eyes.
No matter what aspect of the high-profile event you may have keyed into — maybe the hubbub over Queen Elizabeth's portraits being projected onto Stonehenge, or the rumor that Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson couldn't score an invite to the Platinum Party or that Prince Andrew's COVID-19 diagnosis had even a royal expert questioning its timing — there's a decent chance some among us have no idea what the Platinum Jubilee actually commemorated.
According to Royal.uk, the Platinum Jubilee marked a momentous milestone in the 96-year-old monarch's rule, for she is the very first British royal to sit on the throne for an astonishing seven decades.
Of course, this is not the first jubilee Queen Elizabeth II has celebrated.
Queen Elizabeth has celebrated many jubilees
The United Kingdom has marked the Queen's service to its people with other jubilee celebrations in the past. The Silver Jubilee marked 25 years since the monarch first took over the throne upon her father, King George VI's death (via The New York Times and History).
Her Ruby Jubilee took place after 40 years of service, and the Golden Jubilee commemorated her 50-year reign. And for 60 years? This national party was called her Diamond Jubilee — and at 65 years, Queen Elizabeth celebrated with a Sapphire Jubilee.
If the monarch reaches 75 years of service, Express notes there is not yet a name for the event, since, well, no one has ever accomplished this milestone. But while only time will tell whether the Queen sees another five years on the throne, she has just reached another impressive landmark achievement in her life and rule that only one other person in history can rival.
Only one ruler has surpassed Queen Elizabeth II's reign
Not many royals have sat on their throne for 70 years. In fact, this is true worldwide, not just in Britain, with only one ruler having the claim to fame that he has outlasted the seemingly interminable Queen Elizabeth II.
According to the Daily Mail, the 96-year-old Brit has officially enjoyed the second-longest rule in history, tied with Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who sat on his throne for 70 years and 126 days.
So who holds the record for the longest reign in history, across every land on Earth? That would be French King Louis XIV, whose reign stretched for 72 years and 110 days! Another fun fact about the intriguing rule of the former king of France is that he became the country's sovereign at the tender age of 4, which casts Queen Elizabeth's succession to the throne of England at age 25 in a different light.
Upon taking over for her father the day he died in 1952, the still very young monarch said in a speech, "My heart is too full for me to say more to you today than I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples, spread as they are all the world over" (via BBC).
And so she has done for 70 years and 126 days today.