Longest Reigning Monarchs in World History | Top 10 Countdown

[@JJKubala]

Didn't King Bhumipol of Thailand had a regent from 1946 to 1950 while he was doing his degree? That means with your criteria he was reigning for "only" 66 years.

[@UsefulCharts]

Excellent point! That means Queen Elizabeth is already number 1! 🍾🍾🍾

[@itsjohnnyfox]

Yaaaay :D she is freaking reptillian

[@MrButch-ls8vl]

Good point ... but it is complicated. There are "regents" and then there are "Regents." Some are merely stand-ins for mundane tasks and others are actual heads of state.

[@Templer19]

🍾🍾🍾

[@whiskeywine5898]

🍾🍾🍾

[@UsefulCharts]

Obvious typo at 9:19. Franz Joseph became emperor in 1848, not 1648. Also, the day that Queen Elizabeth will pass Bhumibol will be June 12, 2022.

[@jessbmine9347]

There's an error on King Bhumipol as well. The slide said he became monarch at 18 but your voice over said 19.

[@Linkzcap]

Also, there should be a < instead of a > for Sobhuza II's "became monarch" age

[@emirefebozkurt8324]

🍾

[@vadinci6611]

dude I really feared for my maths skills for a second

[@dietermayr5888]

Franz Joseph I did follow his uncle Ferdinand I, Franz Josephs father Franz Karl renounced to be emporer.

[@caloricfoil98]

9:58 crazy that Franz Joseph became monarch almost 200 years before he was born

[@2Links]

Damn, weird how he didn't top the list with that.

[@Bart_Happel]

It's because in Austria you come of age at -182 years old.

[@jimtalbott9535]

It’s the incest! He was his own Grandpa!

[@steveholton4130]

Every one has an ass but no one likes a smart one!!

[@steveholton4130]

Franz is Da Mann !!!

[@hyun-shik7327]

Update: Queen Elizabeth has died, aged 96. Since she reigned for 70 years, 7 months, meaning that she reached the top spot on this list according to the criteria described. May she rest in peace.

[@townsley2]

but these criteria are crap and certainly not official

[@sebbog]

damm

[@bruh-id8lq]

🥂🍾🥂🍾🏆

[@corny2603]

🍾🥂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿☕️

[@theactivelion4006]

@@townsley2 I don’t understand why you think the criteria is crap. It’s perfectly reasonable to not include regent years since monarchs with regents don’t make any significant decisions on their own since their literally children.

[@morishiba]

🍾🥂 I actually set a reminder for this video 😆 love your videos!

[@erikaheck8261]

Your rules for ranking gave a more diverse list than other lists I’ve seen. It was well thought out!

[@thomasdixon4373]

You should make a list of the shortest reigning monarchs or longest reigning regents

[@thomasdixon4373]

@MitchTheYoshi I know just thought there might be more lol

[@asomelord]

As for Longest reigning Regents I'd say Miklos Horthy is probably the winner although I'm certainly no expert. He ruled the Kingdom of Hungary for almost 24 years. His regency was a bit more unique because to my knowledge they didn't have an Heir so he was in charge until they could elect a new king... Although to be fair I'm not an expert of Hungary in the interwar period, nor that certain about long reigning regents

[@arad4852]

I don't know much about others, but Miklos Horthy technically ruled Hungary as a regent for 24 years. He should be close to the top.

[@Vrangelrip]

One of portugal's monarchs ruled for 20 minutes after his father died of gunshot wounds in an assasination. He died 20 minutes later by the same causes

[@bobcharlie2337]

King John 1 of France? Crowned at birth and died 5 days later.

[@SWiftxFuRY]

Do a list of longest king or queens in waiting. Just so we can all troll Prince Charles. Lol

[@midnight9613]

that would be funny

[@BritishRepublicsn]

@@midnight9613 are you the one who married Henry VII? (Sorry I’m bad at queens)

[@midnight9613]

@@BritishRepublicsn yes I am

[@BritishRepublicsn]

@@midnight9613 ok how is Henry?

[@midnight9613]

@@BritishRepublicsn He's great. Better than our second son who is currently having a crusade against him.

[@darthzayexeet3653]

Franz Joseph I. Born: 1830 Became Monach: *1648* Bruh

[@micha2909]

We need a list of oldest heirs waiting to become king, lead of course by Prince Charles of England. 😄

[@Oxley016]

*Of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

[@lordomacron3719]

@@Oxley016 and Brewich Upon Tweed

[@Oxley016]

@@lordomacron3719 Yes it's a funny story about how Berwick was mentioned in a declaration of war but not in the following peace treaty however it was legally a constituent part of the UK for the signing of both and as such was not actually at war with Russia for over 100 years. Also it is Berwick not Brewich.

[@lordomacron3719]

@@Oxley016 damn spell check making me look like a fool

[@jeffgumawid7554]

Speaking of Regents: 10 Longest Reigning Regents?

[@PokerAttack21]

On paper or also counting years of regents that continued to be the ruling person even after a monarch was coronated?

[@mlovecraftr]

Very interesting.

[@samuelwhite1228]

Miklos horthy and wu zetian would probably be close to the top

[@dragon_ninja_2186]

Or 10 shortest reigning regents.

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

Regents rule, they do not reign, because only the monarch can reign, and the regent is specifically not the monarch

[@rexcolt9742]

Queen Elizabeth just have to make it to her 101 birthday while on the Throne. *That* would be history

[@deutan4390]

She'd be 127 years old which is 4.5 years older than the oldest person alive - luckily the Queen gains a day for every child we sacrifice. So nothing to worry

[@TigerSamurai]

Has any monarch ever been above 100 years old?

[@untruelie2640]

@@TigerSamurai Tezozomoc, the ruler of Azcapotzalco, supposedly reached the age of 106. (1320-1426) However, I don't know how much evidence there is for the dates in his case.

[@rexcolt9742]

@@deutan4390 I dont know how is her 101 birthday meaning she will be 127 yo...

[@steveholton4130]

GO FOR IT, LIZZY!!!!

[@rdaltry777]

I don't know if your list is "better" or "worse" than lists that count years with a regent or don't include subordinate monarchs, but I certainly appreciate that you were clear in how you determined the rankings. Your explanation of the process is always a benefit. I look forward to your next video!

[@pickleballer1729]

I like the protocols you used. One of the neat things about this is that, with the exception of Victoria and QE2, all of the monarchs on this list are from different countries around the world. I think that makes it cooler. Thanks!

[@bloodmure1]

I'm surprised King Jangsu of Goguryeo is not mentioned at all. He lived from "394 A.D" to "491 A.D" (age 97) He reigned from "october of 413 A.D" to "december of 491 A.D" He ruled since he was 19 years old without regency, which makes his total length of adult reign "78 years and 2 months" I know he is an ancient monarch, but his reign have been cross checked by many Korean historians to be considered as a historical fact.

[@guittarman7]

This was a very refreshing list, so many others are basically the same but this one mixed it up! Great video as always

[@kitamcguire2509]

Let’s not forget queen liz’s mum lived until she was 101 so..

[@pedanticradiator1491]

She wasnt a reigning monarch just a consort

[@kitamcguire2509]

@@pedanticradiator1491 I know that. That was clearly in reference to how long queen Liz might live since her mum lived so long.

[@dixie8418]

@@kitamcguire2509 The extra context certainly helps to understand the initial comment. Thanks for the elaboration on the hopeful future of Queen Elizabeth II.

[@susyshepard320]

@@kitamcguire2509 I knew what you meant.

[@kitamcguire2509]

@@susyshepard320 I didn’t think it was hard to understand. 🤷🏽‍♀️ but I forget some people don’t think contextually

[@farhanmizra]

As a fellow Malaysian (born in Kuala Lumpur 🙋‍♂️), I was beaming with pride seeing a Johor sultan made in the list.

[@George_Bland]

Good for you

[@bell5859]

Sultan of kedah who passed away in 2017 was 1 year shy of making a place as the 10th on the list.. he was the only state sultan that reign 2 times as an agong.

[@nhy123123]

Well, if only you knew that Sultan Ibrahim cared little about Johor especially towards his later years and was even the last few to resist Johor's ascension into the Union in 1957. Haha

[@anAngeal]

Queen Elizabeth made it past that date. So officially she was the longest-ruling based on your criteria.

[@townsley2]

Louis XIV of France still officially number 1 with 72 years 110 days, ;) who said child kings didn't count?

[@anAngeal]

@@townsley2 I would include child kings too.

[@Dunsapie]

@@townsley2 King Sobuza II of Swaziland is officiaally the longest reigning.

[@eliashornwall8546]

What about Ramses II? He reigned for about 66-67 years. Months are a bit iffy on this one so that’s probably why he was disqualified, but he was an adult throughout the entirety of his reign. Fun fact: He actually got to be 90 years old which is very impressive considering he lived in a time before antibiotics and vaccines, plus all the intrigue and wars he was involved in.

[@TheAutisticBrony]

Verifiable reigns only remember?

[@raksrulesaks]

And he had so so many kids it’s crazy!!!! Ramses II if the story and our current understanding is true was a DUDEEEE!!!!! Pretty epic

[@lindsaycutter2834]

Honestly I think Queen Elizabeth II is just trying to outlive her son.

[@kaylynnmartin5113]

She probably will, she outlived everyone else💀

[@dc-4ever201]

Not if Harry and his wife have owt to do with it, they are trying their best to finish the old dear off.

[@anneyyyyy8025]

She probably may but she is not a Queen Regnant of her own right. So she isn't counted in this segment.

[@SirKarlIsTheMod]

Just Louis the XIV outliving his son and grandson

[@chrisfield3258]

@@QPRTokyo Hardest working member of the royal family is the princess royal Anne.

[@gavinsmith9871]

God save the Queen!! (Added a year to her life, should do the trick.)

[@gustianopamukir6150]

UK citizen stop singing God Save the Queen The Queen : my time has come

[@yagopaliza8749]

But if the Queen is inmortal , the Queen save God

[@SailorYuki]

She doesn't want Charles on the throne so she'll liv forever.

[@adamslater1634]

No! God RAISED the King...KING JESUS THAT IS!!! And He still reigns!!

[@TheRealJaneSeymour]

I wonder what Victoria would say to Queen Elizabeth if they could chat?

[@jonoko5569]

Finally the first mention of Malaysia on this channel! Cant wait for you to make the family tree of the 9 royal houses of Malaysia

[@niczous]

Looking forward! 😍

[@Moeller750]

I really appreciate your decision to not include childhood years. Dismissing the role of regent has all too often been used as an excuse for erasing powerful women from history... Speaking of which, if you should one day be tempted to make a video about the Kalmar union and Queen Margrethe the first, I'd be SO here for it!

[@jonathonfloyd5757]

An interesting note on Queen Victoria--her predecessor was William IV, her uncle, who was already getting older when he became King and was pretty sick towards the end of his life. He absolutely doted on Victoria but hated her widowed mother, the Duchess of Kent, and was terrified by the prospect of the Duchess becoming regent should he die before Victoria turned 18. He did everything he could to hang on and ended up dying just a couple months after Victoria's 18th birthday, ensuring that she would reign in her own right from the beginning.

[@fishyc150]

I like the way "the queen" is just referred to as "the queen"

[@taka2517]

In Germany we say Die Queen, Die being the female article, not a deathwish

[@fishyc150]

@@taka2517 but you pronounce the second vowel not the first like us. So die to us we pronounce the "i" (eye) you would say the second vowel "ee" so D-ee to our d-eye

[@taka2517]

@@fishyc150 Basically. ie is a diphtong in German that nearly always gets pronounced as you would pronounce "ee". Your "I" sound is another diphtong in German, "ei".

[@madmonkee6757]

What else would we call her? I'm Israeli, and the last monarch (and proper head of state) to rule over this land was Her Majesty's father. (And though I've no animosity towards Reuven Rivlin, [he's a good man and a good president] I could well wish that we were a crown dominion, or whatever they're called, those lucky realms that have Her Majesty as monarch.)

[@carlrevans]

I believe it is proper to refer to current monarchs as "The Queen" "The King" "The Emperor." This distinguishes them as the current living monarch in conversations concerning several monarchs.

[@Bouncyboizes]

10:08 it says 1648 but it’s actually 1848

[@lukehenskens3345]

With 267 years hes definitely the longest ruling monarch

[@mver191]

@UCwXI-0rEy6mp2OYKHwzNj7A yeah he messed up on that one.

[@steveholton4130]

same comment as above

[@jamesknapp64]

Then he says his Nephew's deathed WW2.... well that point was only 1/2 wrong

[@halo56731]

Pakal's title is pronounced "Ah-how" rather than Ajaw, that's because Mayan phonetics in the Latin Alphabet are derived from Spanish.

[@hazenoki628]

Was going to comment on that, thanks.

[@GiorgosKoukoubagia]

that's very interesting to know

[@andresjuarez2113]

More like akhaw then, we don't have the H sound used in 'how'

[@prakhyatpandey5341]

So is it like the jalapeno~halapeno/mojito~mohito thing? As you mentioned Spanish...

[@Gambit771]

Wasn't aware the Spanish were in South America in the 7th century.

[@Meatcook123]

🍾 The Queen is the new number one with 70 years and 214 days

[@anukiran1735]

RIP Lizzie II

[@ruth6883]

A video of the heirs of throne who waited the longset would also be nice.

[@furlizard]

So soon Queen Elizabeth will have to send herself a letter about being 100 years old✉️

[@Gambit771]

Only if she remembers to ask herself for that telegram.

[@wwe4life444]

She was born in 1924

[@ladydamiana6841]

@@wwe4life444 *1926

[@Ramtamtama]

"happy birthday to me..." or "oh, I've got a letter from that woman who's on the telly every Christmas". Or, you know, she'll be on television, thank everybody for all their kindness, and remind us to put on our radiation suits every time we go outside.

[@CO84trucker]

I'm half Austrian and after researching my family tree, I've had up to 5 generations of ancestors living at some point during the reign of Kaiser Franz Joseph.

[@lightyagami3492]

That is legit crazy 😳😳

[@JohnWhite-wl6pm]

I’m just waiting here until May 2022 to type in a Champagne emoji.

[@franada2750]

Imagine in 2052 Centennial celebration

[@curious493]

Go ahead, type it now. She'll make it 😅

[@wwe4life444]

Wait why?

[@PopeLando]

Hope you actually waited till today 13 June 22! 🍾🍾🍾

[@Lord_Foxy13]

It's official, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth is the longest reigining monarch in history, by this metric

[@baronvg]

Lmao I’m soooo eagerly awaiting to leave a champagne 🍾 emoji next year.

[@codygentry4742]

Ramses II’s reign is pretty verifiable, and if he were considered, he would have made it on this list. Dates in ancient Egypt were marked by month (seasons too) and the year of the Pharaoh’s reign.

[@xenotypos]

I'm very sceptical about ancient sources in general personally (including this Mayan king), even when it's very precisely recorded. I feel like there's just no way to know for sure, as long as you don't have some hardproofs or some other foreign people recording stuff that are consistent with it. But it's just my point of view.

[@thenoob4705]

@@xenotypos How would you feel had a Roman emperor been on this list, then?

[@someinteresting]

@@xenotypos Though we have the mummies of Sethi, Ramses and Merneptah, so the chronology could be corroborated.

[@habitualforeigner]

@@xenotypos Mayan inscriptions regarding royal lineages were scrupulously dated, and centuries of written history can be matched up to Western dating systems.

[@condorboss3339]

@@habitualforeigner It was the King lists that gave us the key to reading Mayan script.

[@tommyss4l]

So in 2 years when you have to revise the list and the Queen still reigns, that'll be expected. It's in 100 years and someone does this list and the Queen is still reigning it'll be hilarious

[@alyssabria]

It wouldn’t even be two years even from the date you commented. It would be less than 2 years. Technically by next year in June, she will tie with King Bhumibol as longest monarch in the world according to this list. King Bhumibol reign for 70 years and 126 days. The Queen is currently at 69 years and 228 days so she only needs to beat him by 70 years and 127 days (in order for this video to get revise) and then if she lives two more years after that, she can beat King Louis (the 14) who is the longest monarch with a veritable reign by an exact date.

[@tommyss4l]

@@alyssabria and in whatever replaces KZbin in 1000 years, the queen will still be around and then we'll find out some alien race with minor psychic powers thought she was immortal and it was so.

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Come on Lizzie, you’re almost No. 1!

[@rivenoak]

Elizabeth the Eternal will make it :)

[@lordsirob8640]

You said that Bhumipol died at age 88 and started his reign when he was 19 and therefore reigned for a total of 70 years 126 days. I don't see how. He was reigning for a total of 69 years and some days. 88-19=69. So unless there is a typo error, you've done your maths incorrectly and Queen Elizabeth II is already the longest serving adult monarch.

[@Xidnaf]

🍾🥂

[@unknown-p3i]

Sobhuza II: My reign (if you count dependent and childhood years) is the longest Pepi II: That’s cute

[@mlovecraftr]

Was the succession of Louis XIV by Louis XV the only Great-grandparent to great-grandchild succession of a reigning monarch in history? Always curious about that.

[@lightyagami3492]

Im pretty sure it is lol. Also when his successor died he passed the crown to his own grandson.

[@j.stalin953]

En tant que Français je vais te répondre (dans mon langage donc). Oui, Louis XIV est bien le seul monarque qui, à sa mort, a passé sa couronne à son arrière petit-fils. La raison ? Le fils de Louis XIV (Louis, Dauphin de France) et le fils de son fils (Louis, Dauphin de France et Duc de Bourgogne) tous morts avant Louis XIV. Ce qui a obligé la France de choisir Louis XV, 5 ans, son arrière petit-fils !

[@olivierolivier6080]

yes it was; because father '(louis, duc of burgundy, great son of Louix XIV) and grand father (louis, son of Louix XIV) were dead, so the crown fell to the the great great grand son, Louis, XV

[@TheAutisticBrony]

@@olivierolivier6080 Just one great not two greats

[@samuelwhite1228]

I always find it insane how hirohito became emperor shortly after ww1 but ruled almost until the 90s which means he ruled through the great depression, ww2, the korean war, the vietnam war and the afghan war. basically the whole of the 20th century except ww1

[@bedohy]

Right, that's why his reigning years, also known as the Showa period is generally used for referring the 20th century in Japan, similar to how the word Victorian era is used.

[@appleslover]

And he's a notorious that should've been executed after the tokyo trials but got away because of American jUsTiCe

[@appleslover]

And he's a that should've been after the tokyo trials but got away because of

[@PopeLando]

He literally missed by months seeing the end of the Cold War!

[@zerefsunlimitedshipworks]

@@appleslover This guy wants a very rebellious Japan that'd kill more Americans than the entire Second World War.

[@dgransultanaumdfederationa6661]

The Queen Is Dead 😧 ! Long Live The King! My Condolences To The Royal Family.

[@buddy-sethcruise3757]

That's really cool on how you went about in figuring it out. Good job.

[@Andrew-gn9qp]

I have to disagree with this completely! Reigning simply means being the monarch. It does not necessarily have to do with ruling. Elizabeth II does not necessarily rule, she reigns, it is the prime minister and the elected government which legislates, in other words, ruling. Therefore, Louis XIV is the longest reigning monarch, regardless of whether or not he took the throne as a child, he reigned as monarch, but did not govern until his early adolescence.

[@stonemannerie]

Yes. Either include childhood years or exclude monarchs of parliamentary monarchies, such as Queen Elizabeth II. of the UK.

[@JJMHigner]

I would still include Pepi ll from Egypt as records there are generally accurate for reign totals. He is recorded at 92 years (from childhood of course.) With this many rulers, odds are fairly good that there would be a couple who, upon succeeding as a child, could have made it into the 90s of age.

[@callnight1441]

its still difficult to say, as he lived to exactly 100 years, it could just be an exageration

[@YT911YT]

@@callnight1441 Living for 100 years in a time when life expectancy was 19 Yeah IT'S fake he most likely died at 39.

[@JJMHigner]

@@callnight1441 the odds are fairly good that of all the Pharaohs that ruled that maybe at least one would have lived to that age. that age would be extremely rare but again the odds are pretty good. Ramses II comes fairly close to this as well but did not reign as long.

[@callnight1441]

@@JJMHigner i know that and i'm not saying its imposible. i'm saying its a pretty sollid round number, meaning the truth behind it could be questioned

[@JJMHigner]

@@callnight1441 good point.

[@mortenpedersen7151]

How about a list just like this one, but only with living monarchs

[@fuzzybeatle]

I agree!

[@AgmaSchwa]

That would be awesome indeed

[@selalox373]

How lol

[@rogerwilco2]

I have a feeling that kind of content does not age well.

[@sheilatruax6172]

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, is a living monarch. I think she's the only one in this list. Blessings on herself and her grandsons (as in Harry and William).

[@jodaz1949]

could u make a video of the heir of Charlemagne?

[@puzzledmind5268]

Louis XIV reign was 72 years. It seem you don't understand the difference between ruling and reigniing over a country. Louis XIV ruled Fance for 64 years (and not 63 as your chart show wrongly) but he reigning during 72 years.

[@wolves600]

he excluded all years when he had a regent

[@JenneeB927]

I liked it! To me, it makes sense to only count the years they made actual decisions. Great video!

[@vincent412l7]

I would like to see a list of who has outlasted more designated successors.

[@AeronKabutoBlade]

Louis XIV has to be up there - he outlived his son and grandson, making his successor his great-grandson Louis XV.

[@RealLifeW0rld]

Imo it would be Ramesses II. Dude lived so long that he outlived 12 of his sons. Yeah 12.... His 13th son became Pharoh Merneptah upon the death of Raesses II in his 90s

[@CRAFAK7]

I would like to nominate there Ramese II. Which ruled for 66 years in ancient Egypt. He should be in the list by my opinion.

[@lightyagami3492]

I agree. Im not sure why he was left off of this list. His reign is not disputed in any way that i know of.

[@nicholasdavelaquio9592]

He didn't include 'ancient' monarchs because of the possibility that the years might not be accurate (he said this earlier in the video).

[@BowtiedMedia]

So... How about now?

[@v1e1r1g1e1]

The Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee (70 years reigning) as of Feb 6th, 2022. At the time I am writing this, it is 1st March, 2022. Hang in there, Liz! We love you!!! 💗 👑

[@youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687]

Emperor Hirohito was also a Regent for 5 years before becoming Emperor

[@lightyagami3492]

You are right

[@lightyagami3492]

Emperor Taisho was often to ill to rule on his own.

[@anassorbestiak]

Great choice of criteria, very interesting!

[@linggao2602]

Yeah I half expected Kangxi to be on there until I realized that he ascended the throne at age 8 and didn’t actually reign until his teens.

[@andrecardoso8811]

I'm here in 09-08-2022. She broke the record! But I won't be using the champagne emoji, because she sadly passed away today.

[@steviegerrard3743]

Korean King JANG SOO (at the time korea was called Go Gu Ryeo) 20th king in succession was born 394 and died 491, he was king at age 20, reigning for 78years. his name means Longevity king. JANG SOO (still used for that meaning these days.) even abdicated after. There is also records of another (not as concrete) of 6th king of Go Gu Ryeo who reigned from 53~146, roughly 93yr, also didn't die and abdicated, lived 19yrs more till he was 119.

[@MuricaTurkey]

I think your parameters were quite understandable, reasonable, and fair. I would find it interesting to know the list of the top 10 shortest reigning monarchs

[@Simahmood]

Brilliant Video!! Can you please do a video about the history of the Kurds and their origins? It's a topic I'm always intrigued about as the Kurds are the worlds largest stateless nation.

[@skullfyre]

I first thought you would count George III, and was going to protest, as he had a regent during the LAST 10 years. But seeing that you started over 60 years length, I was relieved...

[@grahamturner2640]

Are there any other monarchs who had regents at the end of their lives?

[@skullfyre]

@@grahamturner2640 I am sure there are some. Can't recall off the top of my head...

[@adamfernandez5674]

🥂 although she passed away today.

[@sanexpreso2944]

You'd make the family tree of Inca royalty, from the cuckoo of cusco, the Inca empire and the Incas of vilcabamba

There's a fascinating fact about Hirohito: he was a god and became human after Japan's submission

[@blumoogle2901]

Demi-gods usually go in the other direction.

[@jtwu8931]

Unconditional surrender, more accurately

[@DonMadruga72]

The radiation from the Atomic Bombs removed his connection to the sky and he lost his divinity

[@hasoonnine]

@@DonMadruga72 lmao

[@andrewsuryali8540]

This is a misconception. The practice of treating the Japanese emperor as a living god was already ended in the Meiji era because it was one of the prerequisites of the Meiji Constitution. What Hirohito did was end two things: First, the State Shinto practice of treating the imperial title of Tenno Heika as a literal truth. Second, the practice of deifying dead emperors. The Meiji emperor was deified after his death, with the temple built for this purpose still open today as a major tourist attraction right next to Harajuku. Hirohito was not.

[@TRDPaul]

Some of your decisions for ranking these are questionable, like the Chinese emperor who abdicated but you decided that didn't count

[@JimCullen]

Yeah, and counting dependent monarchs but not monarchs who just happen to use a lower title seems really weird. Surely the duke of an independent nation is more of a monarch than the king of a colony?

[@the_major]

Great list! Just an FYI about Pacal, his title Ajaw is actually pronounced A-HOW.

[@ages6592]

🍾 09 may 2022 and she is still hanging in there, although after Covid she is getting a bit weaker. Just pushing towards the jubilee celebration this summer!

[@Kuudere-Kun]

Personally I think ancient Egyptian Records cna be considered more reliable with seventh century Mayan ones. There's a lot we don't know about the Reigns of Pepi II and Ramesses II, but that each reigned over 60 years isn't disputable.

[@blaze8888888800]

A little sad to see Ramses II excluded by your criteria. His reign is damn near verifiable in length.

[@michaelsburnett]

Fantastic idea Matt. I would like to see you eliminate anything that minimized a monarchs reign, I.e. dependent on another nation or person (regent), not doing their job alone due to infirmity of any kind, subtracting any years where the monarch did not fully run the show. This would really take Elizabeth II out as the PM has the power. Thanks always for the impeccable work you do.

[@muratgulgen8893]

Franz Joseph is a interesting man. Becomes King at 1648 and dies 2 years after WW II.

[@nicholaswilley9001]

WW i's beginning, you mean...

[@victormolinatorres]

King Arganthonios in Tartessos, Spain is said to have lived 120 years and ruling 80 of them, but since its so old we can´t know for sure...

[@dams6829]

9:48 small correction, Franz Joseph's father wasn't the previous Emperor of Austria.

[@ericwilestech]

You missed one important one. The longest fully documented reign is the 67 years of Rameses II, who came to the throne in 1279 BCE and built more temples than any other pharaoh. The next place is a tie between Thutmose III (1479 BCE) and Psamtik I (664 BCE), both of whom ruled for 54 years.

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

Rama IX, King Bhumipol, was a multi-instrumentalist/composer, inventor and internationally competitive sailor. He also loved dogs, setting up a stray dogs' home to which he devoted much of his time. He was a renaissance man in the true sense and obviously the coolest monarch on the list by far.

[@AhJauBut]

He has just set it all up He is the man who got involved in the massacres and He was also allegedly a drug lord He authorized military coups which is the worst deed for him

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

@@AhJauBut The Chakri dynasty preserved Thailand's independence while all other SE Asian countries had been colonized in the 19th and 20th Centuries. In the 21st Century, the spy agencies of two superpowers battle for global hegemony. One uses infrastruture debt to coerce governments into its Belt and Road. The other uses fake NGOs to bribe acedemics, media and corrupt second teir powerbrookers into allowing billionare strongmen to become lifetime leaders who can only be removed by coups. Thailand is trying to steer the middle path through this difficult situation. I hope it remains on course.

[@robertwilloughby8050]

Yes, he was an extremely talented jazz drummer, if I remember correctly, in fact, there are recordings that have him playing drums to Romano Mussolini's piano (and organ)!

[@Simon.the.Likeable]

@@robertwilloughby8050 Apart from them both being born in 1927, I could not find any mention of a connection between them on Google. I am very interested. Please provide a citation so I may investigate further.

[@cocoa_alpaca]

he was also the only us king

[@CommissarMitch]

9:19 Typo with the years? Or was he secretly immortal?

[@dogeimations9255]

I would prefer if it was the latter

[@GarfieldRex]

Time for an update 😔

[@mariabaclit4761]

Very impressive research. Thanks for sharing.

[@Laramaria2]

Long live Queen Elizabeth II! 👑❤ I really enjoyed this video! Really good!

[@emperor_of_the_romans]

God Save the Queen

[@YT911YT]

You are Spanish aren't you If you were English then your name would have been Laura mary

[@Laramaria2]

@@YT911YT I'm from Brazil, actually, from a city that was created as an English settlement ☺

[@Laramaria2]

@@YT911YT but to be honest, you did guess partially right, for I do have a lot of Spanish heritage and my middle name, "Maria", is actually to honor my great great grandmother, that was Spanish 😬

[@maxhansen1334]

What about Ramses II? The egyption Pharao had an adult reign of 66 years, and it seems fairly verifiable

[@cubateka_]

I'm not expecting Malaysia to be on the list at all 😂

[@hezrin2005]

Aku ingatkan almarhum sultan kedah tapi sultan johor yang muncul

[@Nn-3]

12:17 incredible

[@AlaricXIII]

A list of longest reigning absolute monarchs would be a satisfying version. It sets a clear standard: Most time no one could tell them what to do.

[@Den_Watts]

🥂 🍾 hi guys. I’m from 2022, the Queen is still with us. Unfortunately so is corona 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@cameroff]

I'm not gonna question how you managed to post this from the future. I am gonna question how YOU are still alive in 2022 😂

[@cameroff]

@@jeandehuit5385 Ah Churchill the dog?

[@chepep0n]

congrats on including Kʼinich Janaabʼ Pakal, of the Baak lineage, divine lord of Lakham Ha. His rule was a golden age for his lineage and capital city. Edit: We DO know that he had a regent, who was his mother and that he took the sacred double headed jaguar throne when he was 12. There is an oval carving of this on his former palace, that shows Lady Sak Kuuk giving him the jade crown. Later edit: he is called just "pakal" by modern archaeologists, note that the maya never used the european way of king naming, so using this nomen he would be Pakal the second, the first Pakal was his grandfather, who was also Pakal but had a different regal name.

[@PopeLando]

I'm quite the fan of K'inich Janaab Pakal. I was reading his Wikipedia page and it said he was the 4th longest reigning monarch. I checked the list and discovered that he had been overtaken by the Queen .... 15 minutes earlier! Weirdly he points us to the link to his video about the line of Kings of Palenque, but on that video the narrator (different guy) knows how to say "Ajaw" correctly.

[@marinamoraes6174]

I'd love to see a video on the Johor lineage!

[@jerrygonzalez597]

Quite fair determinants. Good job prof. ✌

[@craigthorsen]

Extremely well done. I think your 4 "disclaimers" are reasonable and appropriate.

[@jesusaguilera6572]

how did franz joseph become emperor at the end of the 30 years war

[@fredriks5090]

Queen Elizabeth reigned for 69 years. Born on April 21st There's still hope boys, there's still hope.

[@iverkjellkken6569]

I think you math is off there. The time between 1648 and 1916 isn't 67 years, its 268 years. I means Franz Joseph was the longest reigning monarch ever.

[@Mazz3D]

very good list, your criterion was perfect. see you in a year or so for the 🥂

[@JohnSmith-lm9gr]

So she ended up beating his record by 4 months, well done lady. Note: Rama 9 (King Bhumipol) had a stward while he was in college, not a regent, so that time still counted.

[@adammetzger4182]

How about a list of longest reigning dynasties? By that I mean like longest unbroken blood lines.

[@lightyagami3492]

Obviously the House of Yamato would be number 1 on that list.

[@YT911YT]

@@lightyagami3492 Very True.

[@clewrites]

Yeah. I think we should do shortest reigning dynasties as well however with a few extra rules -Counting years they ruled at royal/imperial rank ONLY -Must have had more than one king/emperor from that dynasty. I think that the Qin Dynasty from China will be on the list.

[@YT911YT]

@@clewrites From what I remember Vietnam had a Short lived Empire in the end of world war 2 which only lasted for 31 days

[@lightyagami3492]

@@YT911YT was there more than 1 emperor?

[@libiusperseus]

Louis XIV's formal reign lasted 72 years. If you count only the years of effective rule instead of the years of formal reign, Elizabeth II has 0 year. 😂

[@wolves600]

technically queen elizabeth still has to sign off on any bill in parlimrnt so she still has veto power on any law

[@libiusperseus]

@@wolves600 Can she refuse to sign ? And, if she refuses, what happens ?

[@wolves600]

@@libiusperseus then the law doesnt pass, now of course people would be pissed and the last time a monarch refused to do It was in 1708 however they still have the power to do so and its the same in most of the commonwealth for example in Canada her representative the Governor General still has to sign bills

[@tonylittle3508]

Technically she can also dismiss the government & call another election. This happened once in Australia, with her representative the Governor-General.

[@tonylittle3508]

@@libiusperseus The law does not come into effect. It may cause a constitutional crises, however it is a constitutional protection against govt doing something really stupid & unpopular.

[@levimcglinchey5843]

5:54 Should definitely do some big Canadian video and drop into your less formal voice for it

[@gubernatorfan1806]

Thank you for another interesting video. I'm not so certain about the "of age" and "regent-free" criteria you apply (while also adding Qianlong's effective but unofficial regency after his abdication) -- if it is a question effective rule, does that not eliminate modern constitutional monarchs, while standards of coming of age vary, as do both maturity and actual effective leadership in different instances. As for coronation as rationale, a number of underage monarchs underwent that ceremony (including Henry III and Henry V of England), most pertinently for your list, Shapur II of Sasanid Persia, who was king of kings for every minute of his 70-year long life (309-379), having been crowned in utero (at least that is the most amusing story, the priests having placed the crown on his mother's belly). Also, if you are going to consider the dates of Pakal I of Palenque verifiable, you should do the same for Rameses II of Egypt, who reigned for 66 years and 2 months (according to a much later king list, but contemporary documents are in agreement, reaching into Year 67 -- having started at 1, not 0 -- and astrochronological evidence allows dating the surviving records from his reign from May 31 1279 to between July 9 and August 3 1213 BC -- even though there are other possible astrochronological matches for the absolute dates, the length of time covered by the records is assured due to the regnal year, month, and day dates of the documents). The possibly 94-year reign of Pepy II of Egypt, on the other hand, is indeed not verifiable.

[@musicandbooklover-p2o]

Pepy II, thank you. I was trying to remember his name, although I thought it was verifiable to over 80 years on the throne.

[@ocrap10]

I'm an American and I'm rooting for queen Elizabeth to officially be the longest reigning monarch in history 🇺🇸♥️🇬🇧