Use Arrow Keys to NavigateView Gallery
24 Slides
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
1Queen Elizabeth II (1952 — Present)
Ute Grabowsky//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 66 Years & Counting
Queen Elizabeth II became the Queen of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in 1952 (and was officially crowned in 1953). With 66 years (and counting) of serving as Queen, she's the longest-reigning monarch in British history. At 92 years old, QEII continues to carry out royal engagements and travels as part of her royal duties.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
2Bhumibol Adulyadej (1950 — 2016)
Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 66 years
Thailand's longest-serving monarch was greatly loved by his people until his death in 2016. Amongst his many achievements as a royal, he most notably helped navigate his country through chaos.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3Louis XIV (1638 — 1718)
DEA / A. DAGLI ORTI//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 72 Years
France’s Louis XIV, also known as Louis the Great or the Sun King, began his reign at the age of four. From his 72 years on the throne—the most of any known European sovereign—he is remembered for building Versailles and his contributions to art and literature.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4Johann II (1858 — 1929)
AlamyTotal Reign: 70 Years
With the second-longest European reign after Louis XIV, Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein was responsible for issuing Liechtenstein's first constitution and was a patron of the arts.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5James VI (1567 — 1625)
Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 57 Years
James VI, King of Scotland, the only son of Mary Queen of Scots, was a strong advocate of royal absolutism. He was responsible for setting the stage for the rebellion against his successor, Charles I.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
6Franz Joseph I (1848 — 1916)
Getty ImagesAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below
7K'inich Janaab' Pakal (615 — 683)
Universal History Archive//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 68 Years
Mayan King of Palenque (the modern-day State of Chipas, Mexico) began his reign at the age of 12 and reigned for 68 years—the longest reigning Maya King. K'inich Janaab' Pakal is most known for building the Temple of the Inscriptions.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
8Constantine VIII (962 — 1028)
Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 66 Years
Constantine VIII was the Emperor of the Byzantine Empire. He worked alongside his brother Basil II for most of his reign, and a few years solo after Basil's death. He died without a male heir to the throne, so he left the throne to his daughter Zoë as empress consort.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
9Basil II (976 — 1025)
DEA / F. FERRUZZI//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 49 Years
Basil II was a Byzantine emperor (co-ruling with his brother Constantine VIII) who extended rule in the Balkans, Mesopotamia, Georgia, and Armenia. Basil had planned to reconquer Sicily and expand Byzantine authority in Italy, but died of illness in 1025.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10Queen Victoria (1837 — 1901)
Robert Alexander//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 64 Years
Queen Victoria of United Kingdom is the namesake of the "Victorian era," which was characterized by advancements in science and technology. She had nine children with her husband Prince Albert, who continue the line of heirs today.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
11James I (1213 — 1276)
UniversalImagesGroup//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 63 Years
James I of Aragon was the the longest of any Iberian monarch, and added the Balearic Islands and Valencia to his realm during his reign.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
12Hirohito (1926 — 1989)
Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 63 Years
Hirohito was the longest-reigning monarch in Japan's history. His reign was designated Shōwa, which means “Bright Peace." He's perhaps most known for his large role in World War II, allying with Nazi Germany.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13Kangxi Emperor (1661–1722)
Zhang PengTotal Reign: 61 Years
Kangxi was the second emperor of the Chinese Qing Dynasty, beginning at age seven. He is remembered for expanding the Chinese empire over parts of Mongolia, Tibet, and Heilong Jiang, and for opening foreign trade.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
14Qianlong Emperor (1735 — 1796)
Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 60 Years
Qianlong was the fourth emperor of the Qing dynasty. Qianlong eliminated the Turk and Mongol threats to China and grew his empire by creating the New Province, which is know as the Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang today.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
15Friedrich Günther (1807 — 1867)
AlamyTotal Reign: 60 Years
Friedrich Günther, Prince of Schwarzburg, was the final head of the House of Schwarzburg.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16Christian IV (1588 — 1648)
Heritage Images//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 60 Years
Christian IV, King of Denmark and Norway, led two unsuccessful wars against Sweden and eventually led his country into the Thirty Years' War.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
17George III (1760 — 1820)
National Galleries of Scotland//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 59 Years
George III was England’s longest-ruling monarch before Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II. He was resposible for the victory in the Seven Years’ War.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
18Honoré III (1733 — 1793)
Poste 2//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 59 Years
Honoré came to the throne at the young age of 14. Most of his reign was spent fighting in the Royal French Army in the War of the Austrian Succession.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19Louis XV (1715 — 1774)
DEA / G. DAGLI ORTI//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 58 Years
Louis XV became the King of France at the age of five. He was called "Louis the Well-Beloved" in the beginning of his reign, but soon became known for his stubborn personality and overspending.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
20Pedro II (1831 — 1889)
DEA PICTURE LIBRARY//Getty ImagesTotal Reign: 58 Years
Pedro II was only the second Emperor of Brazil and ended up being the final. He took his father's place at age five and was officially declared in 1840. He helped to encourage coffee production, which brought much stability to Brazil's troubled economy.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qa3RqZyrq5KWx6Kt0WeaqKVfmLKtscGroK2xX6GutbHSrWagamRrhXiAmGpmsKeiobG0ecuopaCdo6l6s7HIoKWippdiv7DFwKWqaA%3D%3D