Celebrating a longevity milestone: Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee

Perhaps the timeliest example of longevity is being celebrated right now, half a world away: Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee.

The 96-year-old queen is being honored with parades, a concert, and various other celebrations to recognize her record-setting reign. Elizabeth is officially the longest-reigning monarch in the United Kingdom, outlasting her great, great grandmother, Queen Victoria, by nearly seven years.

She is also one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history, behind Louis XIV of France, who served roughly two years longer than Queen Elizabeth (from 1645 to 1715), and Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, who served about a month longer than Queen Elizabeth has so far (from 1946 to 2016).

No matter how you feel about the monarchy, the queen’s Jubilee is a global event. Coverage of Jubilee plans is ubiquitous, and many of the events will be live-streamed worldwide. Souvenirs and mementos range from commemorative books, to cardboard cutouts of the queen, to a costly collectible Queen Elizabeth II Barbie doll.

Part of the interest stems from a global fascination with royalty. But we also think it has a lot to do with a growing respect for the idea of longer, healthier lifespans.

 In her own way, Queen Elizabeth has redefined public perceptions about older people, and has steered through times of public adulation for the monarchy, through periods of public dissatisfaction in the 1980s and ‘90s, and back to general public support.

 She has toured the world representing the UK – both as a young woman and as a senior citizen. She has addressed the United Nations twice, in 1957 and 2010. She opened two Olympic Games, the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal and the 2012 Summer Games in London.

For the London games, she appeared in a short film alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts gave her an honorary BAFTA, calling her the “most memorable Bond girl yet.”

In short, Elizabeth has spent a lifetime doing the unexpected, something she continues to do today.

Methuselah Foundation believes the real power of longer, healthier lifespans is that they give people the opportunity to do more – professionally and personally.

Our mission is to make 90 the new 50 by 2030. Join us to bring this dream to life. Donate to Methuselah Foundation.