The Queen is oldest ever Monarch
According to Buckingham Palace, at 5pm GMT this afternoon, Queen Elizabeth II will become Britain’s oldest ever Monarch, overtaking her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria who died in 1901 aged 81 years and 243 days.
The Queen and Prince Philip at Westminster Abbey
We’re told the Queen will spend the day quietly with Prince Philip, her husband for 60 years.
She is the world’s second-longest living monarch, after King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. Elizabeth has outlasted 11 Prime Ministers, the first being Sir Winston Churchill, and is the first to have a premier, Tony Blair, born in her reign.
However, Queen Victoria will retain the record for longest-serving Monarch ever until September 9, 2015.
Peter Hennessy, Professor of Contemporary British history at Queen Mary’s College, University of London said, “Even allowing for the improvement in medicine since Victoria, it is remarkable. I cannot think of any other head of an institution who has not put a foot wrong over such a long period of time.
“In those years, she has presided over the most dignified withdrawal from the superpower status, which is no bad legacy. The way she has adapted, without succumbing to faddish fashions, is a gift of genius.”
Elizabeth’s cousin Margaret Rhodes says it is highly unlikely she will step down early — the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936, which forced her father to take over, is still a painful chapter in Royal memory.
The author Robert Jobson says, “Abdication I don’t think is an issue, or something that’s even in consideration to the Queen. As long as she remains in good health, she will continue to be Queen until the day she dies. Otherwise the system does not really work.”
Let us hope this situation does not change until at least September 9, 2015.
Long live the Queen!
I see that Prince Edward and Sophie have taken their new baby home, still no name, though a spokesperson told the BBC that they’re narrowing it down.
It also says that the Wessexes are expected to join the family at Sandringham. I can imagine that there’s nothing the Queen will enjoy more than plenty of time with her new grandson. Maybe she’ll be able to help his parents with the naming.
By Evelyn on December 20th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Evelyn, I’ve put a picture up on a new post. A very handsome child, I must say.
By John on December 20th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
This is a nice milestone for the Queen. I remember we were discussing this on another thread a couple of weeks ago.
I have another royal question to pose: what is the oldest age at which someone has ascended to the throne? I was thinking about how old Charles will be when he becomes king someday, as he is already 59 and it doesn’t appear that his day will be coming anytime soon.
By Melissa on December 20th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Writing from memory, Melissa, I believe Charles passes Edward VII record next month. I’ll have to check the precise details though.
It seems that the Queen Mother’s longevity is infecting all her descendants.
By John on December 20th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
After a quick search of Edward VII, I think you are exactly right, John. I guess Charles won’t officially hold the record until he actually becomes king, as much can happen between now and the day that a new monarch is crowned. I hate to say that there is always the possibility that HM would outlive Charles and he would therefore not officially hold the record.
Thanks for the info.
By Melissa on December 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
It seems that the Queen Mother’s longevity is infecting all her descendants.
That’s one infection I wouldn’t mind having.
Melissa, if the Queen outlives Charles, he will probably go in the record books as the oldest Prince of Wales in the history of the British Monarchy.
By Arthur on December 20th, 2007 at 11:07 pm
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, Arthur. At this point, it seems Edward VII is still holding that record as well, if only for a short while. He became king sometime during his 59th year. In a few months, Charles will overtake him as the oldest Prince of Wales. He will more than likely have many years to pad the record, even if he does one day become king.
Good to see you, too, are surviving mother nature’s wintry blast, Arthur. May you have a Merry Christmas, complete with electricity.
By Melissa on December 20th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
A joyous Christmas to you also, Melissa. As long as I am with my family, Christmas will be merry regardless of the weather.
By Arthur on December 20th, 2007 at 11:35 pm