h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

On this day in 1952 George VI died and his young daughter ascended to the throne. She has now been Queen Elizabeth II for just over a year less than her father was alive. A sobering thought.

Charles is now older than the last two British Kings were when their reigns ended and after the 17 January next year should he inherit the crown he will have surpassed Edward VII but not yet reached William IVs age as the oldest person to inherit the throne.

However, should the Queen still be reigning on Fri, 20, September 2013 Charles will equal the age that William IV sucessed his brother. For the record our queen will be 87years and 132 days on that day a mere 14 years younger than her mother at her death.

Cheerful sod this afternoon, aren't you?

I just saw in in this day in the past news and tried to work out the implications as I thought Charles must be heading towards record territory very soon.

Actually that was really interesting. I do sometimes wonder whether he'll ever get to be king. It's not unknown for parents to outlive their kids!

It's amazing what you find out when you delve into history, David Cameron is a descendant of Queen Victoria's uncle, 'cept from the wrong side of the broom, so he's got no claim to the throne.