The longest-reigning monarchs in Britain were Queen Elizabeth II and her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria, who both ascended to the throne while they were young and maintained a steady presence throughout years of significant upheaval.
Both Victoria and Elizabeth were considered unlikely to ever succeed to the throne when they were born.
But both ladies accepted the roles that were given to them and went on to become well-liked national matriarchs.
Elizabeth’s duty-driven monarchical style has its direct origins in the example set by her renowned ancestor.
According to monarchy expert Andrew Gimson, Victoria and Elizabeth were both “exceptionally conscientious, strong-minded ladies, keen to do things absolutely as correctly as they could.”
Both were viewed as representing modern Britain towards the end of their reigns.
Elizabeth was the first British monarch to celebrate a platinum jubilee and ruled for 70 years and 214 days.
