Queen Elizabeth Just Surpassed a Mayan Ruler to Become the Fourth Longest-Reigning Monarch of All Time

Queen Elizabeth just surpassed a Mayan ruler for a seriously major milestone. 

As of Wednesday, Her Majesty is now the fourth longest-reigning monarch in history. The 93-year-old has served as the British monarch for a total of 68 years and 34 days, officially passing K’inich Janaab Pakal, also known as Pakal the Great.

As for who holds the title, currently, it’s King Louis XIV of France who reigned for 72 years and 110 days, followed by Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej with 70 years and 126 days. Queen Elizabeth comes closely behind King Johann II of Liechtenstein in the third spot, who ruled for 70 years and 91 days. 

However, while she may not be the longest-reigning monarch of all time, she is the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the U.K., a title which she received in 2015 when she surpassed a record previously held by her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who ruled for 63 years from 1837 to 1901.

And in February 2017, she became the first British monarch to celebrate a Sapphire Jubilee, commemorating 65 years on the throne. The now 93-year-old acquired the throne when she was just 25 years old after the premature death of her father, King George VI.

It doesn’t seem like she’s slowing down anytime soon. In the words of Her Majesty herself,  “When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future.” 

Wise words from our favorite queen.