10 longest reigning monarchs in the world currently (Pics + Years on Throne)

Longest reigning monarchs in the world: The course of governmental history around our globe has been largely characterized by concentrated powers. Leaders of the past have largely been men and women who have ruled their respective dominions from around the world with absolute authority. However, as times have changed and most countries have moved towards more democratic means of governance, most reigning monarchs have had their powers greatly reduced or removed altogether, leaving most major decisions to be decided by democratically elected officials. More.. 10 easy ways to get rid of black knuckles, elbows and knees – This will cost you nothing (With Pictures) LADIES: 13 things you should do to keep your man – EVERY MAN loves #11 Top 10 Nigerian female celebrities who are driving the most expensive cars (With Photos) 10 mistakes Nigerians make that denies them from getting VISA – You cant travel without reading #4 A number of countries, however, have maintained ceremonial monarchs as figureheads to preserve longstanding aspects iconic of their respective histories and cultures. The succession line in most monarchies is pretty much clear cut from the first in line to the last in line, with most monarchs reigning for very long periods, often until their death. In a few circumstances one may find those who have abdicated their thrones due to old age, poor health, or personal reasons, and others who have been removed forcibly by way of coups administered by their rivals. With longevity of rule in mind, below we list the current monarchs with the longest uninterrupted reigns, whether they are ceremonial figures or absolute authorities. 10. Ahmad Shah of Pahang, Malaysia - 41 Years, 125 Days Ahmad Shah is the fifth and current reigning Sultan of Pahang in Malaysia. He was previously the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Agong of the country between 1979 and 1984. October 24th, 1930 was the day he was born, as the only son to Sultan Abu Shah and his official royal consort. He has served as the Sultan of Pahang since the 8th of May, 1974, following the passing on of his father, who was 69 years of age at the time. He is designated to serve as the Sultan of Pahang for life and, in the event of his demise, the next in line would take over control of the sultanate. 9. Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden - 42 Years, 128 Days He is the currently reigning Swedish King. He assumed the reigns of the kingdom at the young age of 27 years old following the demise of Gustaf VI Adolf, his grandfather, on the 15th of September, 1973. His father, who would have been next in line to the throne, perished in a plane crush when he was just a year old. He adopted the title "King of Sweden", breaking the centuries-old tradition held by his predecessors of being given the much longer title of "By the Grace of God King of the Swedes, the Goths/Geats and the Wends." He is among the longest reigning current monarchs having been king for 42 years. He has been considered among the most modernized royals of the 20th century, especially after he picked the slogan "For Sweden with the times." 8. Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi III of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates - 43 Years, 361 Days He belongs to the Supreme Governing Council of the United Arab Emirates, and is also the present ruler of the Sharjah Emirate. He has reigned since the 25th of January, 1972, when the ruler in place at the time was assassinated in an attempted coup. At this time, he was only 32 years of age. He is the 18th Sultan of the Sharjah Emirate, in a succession of Al-Qasimi sultans that can be traced to as far back as the seventeenth century. His reign has largely been uneventful, with the sultanate experiencing peace and stability throughout his reign. 7. Margrethe II of Denmark - 44 Years, 7 Days Margrethe II is the reigning Queen of Denmark. She is the Commander in Chief of the defense forces of Denmark, and also the supreme leader of Church of Denmark. Nonetheless, she is only a constitutional monarch, and makes no political decisions. She is from the House of Glucksberg, which originally came from North Germany. She took the reins of the monarchy when her father, King Fredrick IX, died on the 14th of January, 1972. She is the longest reigning among the three Scandinavian monarchs. Having been born in 1940, she only became a presumptive heir in 1953 after an amendment of the constitution. She will be the reigning monarch as long as she lives, unless she decides to abdicate her throne, upon which the next in line would ascend to it. 6. Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman - 45 Years, 182 Days The current Sultan of Oman climbed to power after overthrowing his father in a palace coup in the year 1970. He is the fourteenth descendant of the Al Bu Sa'idi dynasty's founder. After overthrowing his father on the 23rd of July, 1970 with the goal of bringing to an end the country's isolationist policies, he established an absolute monarchy. When he became Sultan, he declared that the nation would not be referred to as "Muscat and Oman" anymore, but the "Sultanate of Oman" instead. His reign has been characterized by a remarkable transformation of the country into one that today has a thriving health sector, good roads, free education, and widespread access to utilities such as electricity and running water. Oman is among the most stable countries in the Middle East, with the Sultan maintaining close ties with both the US and Britain. Qaboos has no sons and, in the event of his demise, the royal family is mandated to pick a successor within three days. If they fail to agree within this time, a letter written by the Sultan containing his preferred choice would then be opened. 5. Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu of the Zulu, South Africa - 47 Years, 126 Days The country of South Africa is headed by a president who is the leader of government. However, the traditional leaders of its original peoples are still valued and recognized in a constitutional clause. The Zulu people make up the Zulu Kingdom, which is ruled over by a traditional king. Goodwill Zwelithini is the current ruling Zulu nation monarch, a role he's been holding since the demise of his father in 1968. In order to avoid assassination, he went into hiding for a period of three years (1968-1971) as Prince Israel Mcwayizeni kaSolomon acted as the king regent. He is the eighth Zulu kingdom monarch, and will continue to rule the kingdom until his death or, if he chooses, abdication. 4. Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei - 48 Years, 109 Days He is the twenty-ninth and current reigning Sultan of Brunei, one of the few remaining absolute monarchies. He was born on the 15th of July, 1946 as the eldest son of Sir Omar Ali III. Brunei experimented with democracy after being urged by the British in 1962, an exercise which saw the Brunei People's Party capture nearly all the legislative seats. The party led a revolution against Sultan Omar Ali, Hassanal's father, but with the help of British troops the revolt was crushed. Omar declared a state of emergency, ultimately reassuming absolute powers for the Sultan that endure to this day. Hassanal rose to reign over the sultanate on the 4th of October in 1967, after his father abdicated in a desperate attempt to resist the concurrent clamors for democracy and pressures from communists. Omar Ali III went on to rule away from the public eye until he had a disagreement with his son and the army pledged allegiance to Hassanal. After Brunei gained full independence from the British on the 1st of January, 1984, Hassanal declared himself the King, Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense. 3. Abdul Halim of Malaysia - 57 Years, 190 Days Abdul Halim Kedah was born on the 28th of November, 1927. He is the reigning supreme leader of the country of Malaysia, and the 27th and present Sultan of Kedah. Previously, he served as the 5th supreme head of state between 1970- 1975. He is the one person to have ever held the position twice and also the oldest to ever be elected into office. Abdul Halim Kedah is only one week older than King Bhumibol of Thailand, the current longest reigning monarch. He was the eldest surviving son of Sultan Badlishah, who died in the year 1958. He has been serving as the Sultan of Kedah since the 15th of July, 1958. 2. Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Realms - 63 Years, 349 Days Queen Elizabeth II is the reigning queen of the United Kingdom and the independent members of the commonwealth realm who still ceremonially recognize the British Crown. Born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on the 21st of April 1926, she has reigned since the 6th of February, 1952. She rose to the throne when her father died while she was on a trip to Kenya. She was born in London as the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York, who later became King George the VI and Queen Elizabeth. Her father rose to the throne upon the abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, whose impending nuptials with a divorced socialite threatened a constitutional crisis. She is the oldest living monarch of all time in British history. 1. Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX of Thailand - 69 Years, 226 Days Born on the 5th of December in the year 1927, King Rama IX of Thailand has reigned since the 9th of June in 1946. His titular name, Rama IX, stems from the fact that he is the ninth king of the dynasty of Chakri. He is the longest serving among all the current heads of states in the world, the longest reigning monarch in Thailand's history, and also the 10th longest reigning monarch of all time in the world. His uncle, who was childless, was King Rama VII. When he abdicated the throne in 1935, Bhumibol's nine-year-old brother became the new king, and was known as King Rama VIII. Since his family was staying in Switzerland at that time, the affairs of the state were run by a regency council. Bhumibol rose to the throne when his reigning brother died of a gunshot wound on 9th June, 1946. His official coronation took place on May 5th, 1950. CLICK HERE to join our BBM Channel for faster updates

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4. Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei – 48 Years, 109 Days

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