Monarchs have long played a role in world history. The late Queen Elizabeth II was certainly a symbol for the British people, having served for 70 years as the United Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch.
Her longevity, while remarkable, is not unheard of, as there have been numerous monarchs from around the world who have similarly lived long lives.
Here are the top six. Will there be a new record-breaker in future?
1. Louis XIV (72 years, 110 days)
Born in 1638, Louis XIV got a head start in life when he was crowned King of France at age four.
While most assumed the young king would rule in name only, he soon made it clear that he took his job seriously.
Louis believed in the absolute power of the monarchy, styling himself as the Sun King and working towards consolidating total political power.
His policies included the promotion of slavery in French colonies as well as the encouragement of anti-Protestant activities.
Ultimately successful at making France a globally recognised power, his policies were also largely responsible for conditions that led to the French Revolution. He died in 1715.
2. Elizabeth II (70 years, 214 days)
Christened Elizabeth Alexandra Mary at birth in 1926, the eldest daughter of the then Prince Albert of York seemed destined for anything but the crown, having trained as a mechanic.
However, with the unexpected abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, her father ascended the throne, leaving her to be his successor.
Upon his death, Elizabeth was crowned queen of the United Kingdom, and her extraordinarily long reign would begin in 1952.
With many colonies of the British Empire seeking independence, much of her sovereignty was spent overseeing its transformation into the Commonwealth of Nations.
Despite the media circus the royal family would be frequently embroiled in, she remained a popular figure among the British and global public until her demise on Thursday, UK time.
3. Bhumibol Adulyadej (70 years, 126 days)
As King Rama IX, Bhumibol remains among Thailand’s most beloved monarchs, with some even regarding him as a semi-divine being.
He was born in the United States in 1927, and headed to Thailand with his family when he was a year old. His ascension to the throne was unexpected as his elder brother, Ananda Mahidol, had already been crowned Rama VIII.
Bhumibol succeeded him when Ananda was shot dead in 1946, becoming king of Thailand and its longest-reigning monarch.
In addition to being a highly influential figure in Thai politics, Bhumibol was also a very affluent individual, with personal wealth estimated at US$30 billion.
He had forged a close friendship with Queen Elizabeth II, according to AFP, before passing away in 2016.
4. Johann II (70 years, 91 days)
The tiny princedom of Liechtenstein may be unknown to most Malaysians, but if you are its ruling prince, size really doesn’t matter.
Johann II, aka “The Good”, was born in 1840 and crowned the ruler of the tiny Alpine country, sandwiched between Austria and Switzerland, when he was 18.
During his reign, Liechtenstein became a constitutional monarchy and had its army abolished as it was seen as an unnecessary expense. To ensure its continued independence, Johann forged diplomatic ties with perpetually neutral Switzerland.
On the personal front, he was apparently a cold and aloof individual who rarely participated in social gatherings. He died single and childless in 1929.
5. Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal I (68 years, 33 days)
Believed to be the longest-reigning monarch in the Americas, Pakal the Great ruled over the Maya city-state of Palenque in the seventh century.
When he was born, Palenque was facing a time of woe, having been raided repeatedly by its regional rivals.
Upon coming to power, Pakal worked to reinvigorate his city and oversaw numerous construction projects including temples and monuments. Among this was the Temple of Inscriptions, a gorgeous example of Mayan architecture that can still be seen today.
The temple served as his burial tomb and his skeletal remains were found wearing an ornate jade mosaic mask, a testament to the wealth and artistry present during his reign.
6. Franz Joseph I (67 years, 355 days)
Among the last emperors of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Franz Joseph I would see his nation plunged into war in his final years.
A political conservative, he came to power at a time when nationalistic movements were erupting throughout Europe. Hungary, in particular, refused to play second fiddle to Austria, which forced Franz Joseph to reshape the Austrian empire into the Austro-Hungarian empire.
His reign also saw personal tragedies besetting his family, with his brother executed, his son committing suicide, and his wife assassinated.
The death of his nephew and heir-apparent, Franz Ferdinand, would end up triggering World War I, leading to the demise of the empire.