6 of the longest-lasting royal marriages in history, from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, to King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway
- Some royal love stories actually do have a fairy tale ending, with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip married for 73 years – the longest royal marriage in history
- Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco were married for 26 years until her tragic death in 1982 – he never remarried, but was buried next to her 23 years later
Some royal love stories really do have a fairy tale ending, so which well-known royals have lived happily ever after?
Here we take a look at the six longest lasting royal marriages.
1. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip – 73 years
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years, making them the longest-married royal couple in history.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip met for the first time at a wedding when she was just eight years old and he was 13. However, it’s been said that Princess Elizabeth truly fell in love with Prince Philip when they met again a few years later.
It was announced that the two were engaged in 1947, soon following Elizabeth’s 21st birthday. The wedding took place later that year. After her father’s death in 1952, Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth.
She was 25 when her father died and 27 when she was officially crowned. At her coronation, Prince Philip offered her his undying loyalty, kneeling before her and pledging to be her “liegeman” or faithful servant.
