Queen Elizabeth becomes modern with the second-longest reign

• The 96-year-old has now reigned for 71 years and 115 days.
• She overtakes Thailand’s Bhumibol Adulyadej, who ruled for 70 years and 126 days.

Queen Elizabeth has now reigned for the second-longest period in contemporary history.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who reigned for 70 years and 126 days between 1927 and 2016, has been overtaken by the 96-year-old monarch, who recently marked her Platinum Jubilee.

The Queen, who is the longest-serving British monarch, is still a long way behind France’s Louis XIV, who ruled for 72 years and 110 days.

The Queen has been dealing with mobility concerns in recent months, forcing her to miss several engagements during the Platinum Jubilee festivities.

Read more. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been ‘excluded’ from Queen Elizabeth II’s Jubilee celebrations

Despite this, she was able to wave to the fans on The Mall in London last weekend from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

The monarch later put out a statement, expressing her gratitude for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, calling them “humbled and very touching.”

“When it comes to how to honor 70 years as your Queen, there is no blueprint to follow,” the Queen, who is also the world’s longest-serving female head of state, stated. It’s a first of its kind. But I’m honored and moved by the fact that so many people have come out to celebrate my Platinum Jubilee.