Longest Reigns in History

[Benedict XVI]

Elisabeth has a fair chance of making the oldest reigning monarch if she lives to be as old as her mom

[Alexey 1904]

Nothing would make me happier if she could live AND reign until she's 100 or more. Does any one believe she may outlive her Heir?

[NGalitzine]

The whole point of a hereditary monarchy is that is passes from generation to generation, not that you get to pick and choose based on popularity at the moment. When Queen Victoria died people didnt have much hope for Edward VII but he turned out to be a tremendous success. On the other hand when Geoge V died people had high hopes for Edward VIII and we know how he turned out. I think Charles has been an excellent Prince of Wales and I see no reason why he should not be a good king.

[Benedict XVI]

If he does succeed his mother he won't have a long reign at most probably 20 years but if he gave it to his son he would get 40 to 50 years in and one thing that people like is to have a long reign for a monarch. Victoria's son reigned for only 10 years. I am also very happy that this year will be Elisabeth's Diamond jubilee.

[NGalitzine]

Charles is probably the best trained heir in history. Why should he give up the position he has prepared for all his life in order to allow his son to take the throne and at the same time deprive his son and daughter in law the chance to build their marriage and raise their children outside of the full glare of the monarchy?
Following your logic William's own heir would then have to give up their place in the succession in order to allow their grandchild to also have a long reign.
It doesn't make sense and its not the way hereditary monarchy works.

[EIIR]

Originally Posted by Benedict XVI

Yes I hope that will happen and if she does live that long we can only hope that the crown will go straight to her grandson William and not her son Charles.

So, you're hoping for Prince Charles to die? You're hoping for the Queen to suffer the trauma and pain of outliving her son whom she loves very much? You're hoping for William and Harry to lose their last remaining parent sooner rather than later?

I somehow doubt the chap in your avatar would approve of that sentiment.

[Zonk]

The purpose of this thread is to discuss the Kings and Queens who have had a rather lengthy reign not to discuss whether or not William should succeed Elizabeth in place of Charles.

Let's get back on topic.

Zonk
Royal Chit Chat moderator

[Benedict XVI]

Franz Joseph of Austria (1848-1916) ruled for 68 years that is a long time. There Is a picture of him going for a hike in his 80s which I found very weird and good at the same time.

[MonarchistKate]

Originally Posted by Benedict XVI

Franz Joseph of Austria (1848-1916) ruled for 68 years that is a long time.

Franz Joseph reigned for almost 68 years. He died 11 days before his 68th anniversary on the throne.

Also, Prince Johann II the Good of Liechtenstein(1840-1929) reigned for 70 years(1858-1929). It's the second longest reign in European history after that of King Louis XIV of France.

[Benedict XVI]

Heinrich XI of the Holy Roman Empire (1723-1800) ruled 77 years although for the first few years I believe it was a regency council.

[Warren]

That's Heinrich XI of the Reuss Elder Line, Count Reuss zu Obergreiz, and from 1778 Prince Reuss [zu Greiz] when he was made a Prince of the Empire.
Born 18 March 1722; succeeded his 4 year-old brother Heinrich IX in Obergreiz 17 March 1723; died 28 June 1800.
> Reigned 77 years, 3 months and 11 days.

[Next Star]

Prince Rainier III of Monaco ruled for almost 56 years he was the second longest reigning monarch in the world at the time of his death.

[Benedict XVI]

Queen Whilhelmina of the Netherlands Reign 23 November 1890 –
4 September 1948
(57 years, 286 days)
That is a long time. She survived to to see two world wars.

[Burzg]

King Hussein 1956 to 1999

[PrincessOfPeace]

We now know when Elizabeth II claims the record for the longest reigning monarch in British history. September 9th 2015 is the day in question but even before the milestone is reached, the Queen’s long reign means that she is way ahead of her European counterparts when it comes to occupying a throne. Here’s how the rest of Europe’s ruling monarchs compare when it comes to length of reign.

How Europe’s other reigns measure up

[Marty91charmed]

Interesting... Perhaps if some "old" monarchs hadn't abdicated some reigns would have been much longer

[Duc_et_Pair]

Originally Posted by Marty91charmed

Interesting... Perhaps if some "old" monarchs hadn't abdicated some reigns would have been much longer

That is true, had Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau not abdicated in 1948, she would have been Queen for 72 years (1890-1962). Picture: http://resources21.kb.nl/gvn/KONB05/...2-P056-2_V.jpg

Had Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, Duchess of Nassau not abdicated in 1964, she would have been Grand Duchess for 66 years (1919-1962). Picture: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73...37af9ffd77.jpg

Both Nassau ladies would have bypassed Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II in length of Reign.

[Lee-Z]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

That is true, had Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau not abdicated in 1948, she would have been Queen for 72 years (1890-1962). Picture: http://resources21.kb.nl/gvn/KONB05/...2-P056-2_V.jpg

Had Grand Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, Duchess of Nassau not abdicated in 1964, she would have been Grand Duchess for 66 years (1919-1962). Picture: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/73...37af9ffd77.jpg

Both Nassau ladies would have bypassed Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II in length of Reign.

Difficult to say, maybe if they hadn't abdicated they would have had much more additional stress in their later years and died at an earlier age...

[Duc_et_Pair]

That is true but the only three data are beyond discussion:
- when were they born
- when did they assume the royal prerogatives
- when did they die

This is the only possibility to calculate a possible length to their reigns.

[Lee-Z]

Originally Posted by Duc_et_Pair

That is true but the only three data are beyond discussion:
- when were they born
- when did they assume the royal prerogatives
- when did they die

This is the only possibility to calculate a possible length to their reigns.

You're forgetting the fourth date that is beyond discussion: the date they abdicated..