During this time, the English monarchy wanted to portray itself as ... a sign their reigns were favoured by God. In the reign of Edward the Confessor, the poor and sick started visiting the ...

4. Swans and dolphins are subjects of the monarchy, too The British monarch does not just reign over people. Since the 12th century, unmarked mute swans in open waters across England and Wales are ...

Her reign of 61 years is currently the second-longest for a British monarch after Queen Victoria, her great-great grandmother, who reigned for 63 years. Below, we have profiled the greatest kings ...

On September 9, 2015, in a lifetime of landmarks, Elizabeth passed the record set for the longest reign by a British monarch. This was not something to which she "aspired," she said on the day.

She ruled during a time of immense global tumult, the decline of the British Empire and shifting public attitudes toward the monarchy.

the oldest monarch, the most travelled and the longest reigning British monarch. SEE ALSO: Here's why Prince George is always wearing shorts Elizabeth became queen aged 25 on Feb. 6, 1952 ...