Graphic shows the 10 longest verifiable reigns of monarchs around the world.
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UK

Queen Elizabeth II dies, aged 96

By Jordi Bou

September 8, 2022 - Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s longest-serving female head of state, died. Aged 96, the Queen was just two years away from surpassing Louis XIV, the “Sun King” of France, as the world’s longest-reigning monarch. Louis ruled for 72 years from 1643 to 1715.

The Ancient Egyptian pharaoh Pepi II is often cited as the longest reigning monarch in history but the precise dates of his reign cannot be verified. He acceded around 2278 BC at age six, and is said to have ruled for 94 years.

Queen Elizabeth officially became the world’s second longest reigning monarch in June, passing the late King Bhumibol of Thailand, whose reign lasted for 70 years, 126 days until his death in 2016.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 09/09/2022; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Louvre, Government of Thailand, Getty Images, Newscom, The Princely Collections, Retratos de la Historia, National Portrait Gallery, MNAC, Library of Congress, Brooklyn Museum.
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