ROYALS: Queen now oldest monarch currently reigning in the world

The royal standard is flying proudly above Buckingham Palace as the Queen returns from her winter break at Sandringham.
Queen Elizabeth II. Chris Radburn/PA Wire.Queen Elizabeth II. Chris Radburn/PA Wire.
Queen Elizabeth II. Chris Radburn/PA Wire.

Her Majesty returns with a new distinction: following the death of the King of Saudi Arabia, at 88, she is now the oldest monarch currently reigning in the world. Not only that, this September, the Queen will break her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years, 216 days and become the longest reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom and its constituent countries.

It is disappointing that there are no large-scale public commemorations planned for the day but it is also understandable: by nature, Her Majesty is not one to make a fuss and the day falls on 9 September, during the Queen’s summer court at Balmoral.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is unusual for the Queen to leave Balmoral early: I would expect as a compromise, the Queen may make some public appearance on the day. She usually carries out a couple of public engagements in the Aberdeenshire area before returning south and it’s likely one will be scheduled for this day allowing people to see her and photographs and footage to use with stories marking the day.

Despite her new distinction, Her Majesty has a busy schedule planned. Although younger members of the Royal Family are representing the Queen increasingly; the message is clear, the royal round continues.