Queen Closing in on Top Spot

Well, this could well be one of the reasons that the Queen is still on the throne, relegating Charles to the longest-heir-in-waiting status to which he just ascended (and the only thing to which he is likely to ascend for some time yet): Elizabeth II has now become the second-longest reigning British monarch ever. First, of course, is Victoria (no need to put a number after her name because everybody knows there was only one). Queen Victoria was on the throne for 63 years and seven months. Elizabeth II has now been queen for a mere 59 years. Obviously, she has some catching up to do. But really, she has only to hang on until September 2015, when becomes Number 1. She's only 85 now, so she doesn't even have to make it to 90 before ascending to the top of the pantheon.

She's just past "Mad" King George III, who might or might not have been a bit looney in his later years. He ruled long after the American colonies convinced him to give them up. In fact, those top three (Victoria, Elizabeth II, and George III) are far and away the longest-serving monarchs in Britain/the UK. George V, is a distant fourth with 25 years logged in as head of state.

Of course, we're talking rulers of the United KIngdom here. The Acts of Union, passed in 1800, gave the framework for the U.K. Other rulers, such as the first Elizabeth, certainly served longer than did George V.

Only Thailand's king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, has served a longer term among current rulers. He became king in 1946, six years before Elizabeth became queen.

Royal sources estimate some astounding numbers for the current queen:

• more than 25,000 official engagements
• 400,000 honors and awards bestowed on the rich and famous and the not-so-rich and/or not-so-famous
• a full 1 million garden parties as hostesss
• an estimated 430 engagements a year (remembering that a year has 365 days).

Charles has no chance of succeeding her in anything but hereditary lineage.