This is the longest reigning monarch in history and how he managed to stay in power so long surprised me

While Queen Elizabeth II’s reign was an impressive 70 years and 214 days, there is one sovereign monarch in history whose reign is even longer- King Louis XIV, the Sun King. 

Louis XIV of France reigned for 72 years and 110 years. The epitome of an absolute monarch, you can still see the impact of his reign physically in Paris and across France. 

The son of King Louis XIII and Queen Anne of Austria, Louis was born on 5 September 1638, 23 years into their marriage. The little Dauphin was incredibly close with his mother; this close relationship would last for decades. 

Louis’ father died on 14 May 1643, making the four year old boy King Louis XIV. His mother acted as Queen Regent with the help of Cardinal Mazarin. However, in 1651, at the age of thirteen, Louis began to rule in his own name. 

Louis encouraged the image of the Sun King throughout his reign. He believed in his absolute power, ordained by God, and that echoed throughout all parts of his life. 

Court etiquette became incredibly complex and exacting, with every aspect of court life metered out. Louis dictated how and when courtiers could sit, stand, walk, eat, and dress depending on their rank- everything was a performance and it was practiced every day. 

The Sun King also played a massive role in codifying ballet into the artform that we now know it as. He made his debut in the Ballet Royal de la Nuit in 1653 and continued to dance himself for years. His ballet masters taught courtiers through a set system of exercises, changing the evolution of the art. 

And of course, Versailles- the best known palace in the world. Louis was inspired to take his small hunting lodge at Versailles, a lodge set on a swamp, and turn it into one of the largest palaces across Europe. 

Built in Classical and Baroque styles, the palace quickly became the heart of the French court despite being outside of Paris. 

King Louis XIV died on 1 September in 1715 of gangrene, shortly before his 77th birthday. He remains the longest-reigning monarch in history.