As of about 17:30 today (9 September 2015), Queen Elizabeth II becomes the longest reigning monarch in British history. To mark her achievement, we take a look at the top 10 reigns in English history and see how the Queen compares to her (not always) illustrious predecessors.
Despite being dead for over 500 years, King Richard III just keeps on delivering scandal, and now he’s even brought the Queen into the spotlight! A new report on Richard and what we can learn from his DNA initially began with headlines that it is “99.999%” certain that the body is that of Richard III, with the inevitable spoil-sport rejoinder that, on the other hand, they still might not be Richard. However, this was soon upstaged by the revelation that, somewhere in Richard’s family tree, there are confirmed instances of illegitimacy, bringing into question a good five-hundred years of royal succession and even whether the wrong person now sits upon the throne.
Now what have you done, Richard?
After almost four years of studying all the kings and queens of England from Alfred the Great to Elizabeth II, I have never actually seen the latter (i.e. “the” Queen). Yesterday, however, she was visiting Chelmsford (where I work and reside), providing something of a perfect opportunity. But would I manage it?
(Not giving anything away, but I’m not in this video!)
Rex Factor 