Queen Elizabeth, Longevity, and Success

Yesterday saw Queen Elizabeth II overtake Queen Victoria as Britain's oldest surviving monarch. The previous record being 81 years, seven months and 29 days.

However, her great-great grandmother Victoria will still hold the record as Britain's longest-reigning monarch, unless Queen Elizabeth II remains on the throne until 9th September 2015.

Putting aside longevity, it is interesting to note that the two queens managed to remain on the throne for so long whilst, some might argue, their somewhat weak successors remained on the sidelines until they too were advanced in years.

It is also of social interest that the two British Queens, and their English predecessor Elizabeth, count amongst the most able of British Monarchs. Since Tudor times, it is arguable whether any King has had such a positive effect on the Kingdom as the three women: much as the only woman British Prime Minister, since Churchill, has proved truly effective.

Then I think of Catherine in Russia, Christina in Sweden and, even, Golda Meir in Israel. All strong women who took their countries to the next level. Unfortunately, history proves that all were followed by mediocrity, which wasted much of the advancement under their respective leaderships.