How Did Queen Elizabeth Become the Longest-Reigning British Monarch Ever?

Queen Elizabeth II is an iconic woman, not just to British subjects but to people all over the world. People admire her drive, tenacity, and work ethic, even though at 92 years of age, she’s definitely earned a break. She is officially the longest-reigning British monarch in history, and while no single specific factor is responsible for her longevity, there are several reasons why the queen has enjoyed such a long and healthy life.

The beginning of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign

Queen Elizabeth II was born on April 21st, 1926, to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. In 1936, her father became king, and Elizabeth officially became first in line to the throne. She enjoyed a close relationship with her family, especially her sister, Princess Margaret, and from an early age was working towards a better future for her country. At the age of 14, she delivered a speech via radio to children who had to be evacuated due to safety concerns from World War II.

While still a teenager, Elizabeth served in the war effort as a certified mechanic and driver. She married Prince Philip in 1947 and had two children before her coronation in 1952, when she was 26 years of age. Over the next few years, she would welcome two more children and tour the world in support of various causes important to the royal family.

The queen enjoys a healthy lifestyle

While good genetics undoubtedly play a role in her long lifetime, the queen also lives by a very strict routine that she has set for herself. She reportedly wakes up at the same time every day (around 8:30 in the morning) and enjoys a leisurely breakfast of oatmeal and hot tea. Instead of rushing through a shower like most people, Queen Elizabeth II enjoys a leisurely morning bath before getting dressed, having her hair done, and enjoying a walk through the palace grounds.

She also understands the importance of quiet time and reportedly keeps a journal, which she writes in at the end of every day. Writing is a great way to focus the mind and undoubtedly helps the queen to reduce stress at the end of a busy workday. She also makes sure to get plenty of sleep and prefers to go to bed at 11 pm every evening, to ensure that she gets a full nine hours of shut-eye. 

Although many people might think that the queen’s menu each day consists of fine, expensive foods, she actually has very simple tastes when it comes to her meals. Reportedly, the queen’s favorite foods include scrambled eggs, cereal, strawberries, grilled fish, and biscuits — the latter is equivalent to cookies in America. Queen Elizabeth II is also said to enjoy a sentimental favorite from her childhood: small raspberry sandwiches cut into small circles that resemble pennies. Even the queen has her favorite comfort foods. She also doesn’t turn up her nose at alcohol, and definitely enjoys a drink or two every day. 

The queen knows the importance of giving back

During her reign, Queen Elizabeth has been a vocal supporter of a number of charitable causes. In fact, she has spent more time doing charitable work than any other monarch in history and has raised over $1.8 billion dollars for the causes that she believes strongly in. She particularly likes to lend her support to community and civic issues and lends money to charities like the British Red Cross and Cancer Research UK.  

At 92 years of age, Queen Elizabeth is still going strong. Hopefully, fans all over the world will get to enjoy many more years of inspiration from this generous, community-minded monarch with a penchant for jelly sandwiches and cereal.