The Who2 Blog

Queen Elizabeth II Hits 65 Years and 75 Days in Office

Photo of Queen Elizabeth in a white dress and scarf, waving to crowds

(Photo: WENN.com)

Queen Elizabeth II turns 91 today, April 21st. That means she’s been ruling the United Kingdom for 65 years and 75 days.

With many more days to come, it seems, given her track record. She is now the world’s longest-reigning monarch — since the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej last year, that is. Bhumibol had a six year head start on Elizabeth, being crowned in 1946 to her 1952, but now she rules in more ways than one.

Elizabeth is also the longest-serving British ruler in history, having surpassed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria in 2016.

As the Boston Globe notes, she has cut back on her formal duties, making “only” 332 official appearances in 2016. Also:

• She has had 13 British prime ministers serve during her reign, from Winston Churchill to Theresa May.

• She has met 12 U.S. presidents, from Herbert Hoover (after he left office) to Barack Obama, more than a quarter of all the U.S. presidents since Independence. She is due to host President Donald Trump for a state visit later this year.

Whew. Happy birthday, your highness!

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