The oldest royal in history has lived a remarkably long life. With modern medicine and improvements in quality of life, royals around the world are enjoying longer lifespans than ever before. But who is the oldest royal to have ever lived?
What determines the oldest royal?
There are a few factors to consider when determining the oldest royal:
– They must have verifiable proof of their royal status, such as through lineage records, biographies, or historical documents.
– Their age must be confirmed through credible sources. This is often documented in official royal records, obituaries, or academic historical accounts.
– They must have lived the longest confirmed lifespan of any royal on record. Factors like changes to calendar systems over time must be taken into account when comparing lifespans.
– The ‘royal’ designation applies to monarchs, their spouses, and members of their immediate families. The specific royal titles may vary by country and era.
With these criteria in mind, historians can analyze records across centuries and cultures to identify the royal individual who reached the greatest age.
Contenders for the longest-lived royals
A few royals stand out for their remarkably long lives. Here are some of the top contenders for the oldest royal to have ever lived:
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
– Born in 1921, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II lived to the age of 99 years and 10 months at the time of his death in 2021. This makes him the longest-lived male member of the British royal family.
– As a prince consort of the United Kingdom, he had access to high quality healthcare and longevity ran in his family – his mother lived to age 84 and his father to age 75.
– His nearly centenarian lifespan ranks him among the oldest royals, though others have surpassed 100 years old.
Louise, Princess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
– Born in 1800, this German princess lived to be 97 years old. She was the wife of Ernst I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
– Her long lifespan has been verified by extensive historical records kept by the royal houses of Germany. She tops the list of oldest royals from her era.
– Living during a time of political unrest in Europe, she nonetheless enjoyed a comfortable royal lifestyle which may have contributed to her longevity.
Mary of Teck
– As the Queen Consort of King George V, she lived to age 85, from 1867 to 1953. Though not the oldest royal, she holds the record for longest-lived British Queen.
– She was influenced by the long lifespans in her family, including her mother who lived to be 88 years old.
– Advances in medicine and nutrition during her reign helped her achieve such remarkable longevity for the early 20th century.
Prince Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg
– The mother of Prince Philip lived to be 84 years old, from 1885 to 1969. She was born deaf but lived an active lifestyle.
– Unusual for her time, she pursued nursing training and humanitarian relief work, which kept her mentally and physically robust.
– She endured significant hardship during WWII which she survived partly thanks to her resilience and healthy constitution.
The longest lived royal: Prince Naruhito’s grandfather
Based on verified records, the oldest royal ever documented was Prince Naruhito’s grandfather:
Prince Arthur of Connaught
– Born in 1883, he was the grandson of Queen Victoria and uncle to Elizabeth II. He served as Governor General of Canada from 1911 to 1916.
– Arthur died in 1938 one month after turning 95 years old. His age is verified by British and Canadian royal records.
– As a male of British royal lineage, his lifespan was exceptionally long for his era. His royal status afforded him top medical care and comfortable living.
– No other royal has conclusively exceeded Prince Arthur’s 95 years of age, making him the longest-lived royal to date.
Here is a summary table of the top record holding royals for longevity:
| Name | Relation | Lifespan | Age at Death |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince Arthur of Connaught | Prince Naruhito’s grandfather | 1883-1938 | 95 years |
| Louise, Princess of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg | Wife of German Duke | 1800-1897 | 97 years |
| Mary of Teck | British Queen Consort | 1867-1953 | 85 years |
| Princess Alice of Battenberg | Prince Philip’s mother | 1885-1969 | 84 years |
| Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh | Queen Elizabeth II’s husband | 1921-2021 | 99 years |
Why the oldest royals lived so long
The exceptional longevity of these royal record-holders can be attributed to a few key factors:
Privileged access to nutrition and healthcare
As members of royal families, they had consistent access to highly nutritious food and did not suffer malnutrition or food insecurity. They also had the best medical care available at the time, which increased their chances of surviving illnesses and injuries.
Lack of severe stress
While royal life was not without challenges, they werebuffered from severe financial or survival stresses faced by common people of the time. This enabled them to live in relative comfort and security.
Strong bloodlines
Many of the oldest royals were members of royal lineages where longevity ran in the family. Inheriting robust constitutions and an innate resilience likely contributed to their long lives.
Sense of purpose
Responsibilities to family, nation, and royal duties gave them a sense of meaning and usefulness thought to contribute to longevity. Prince Philip’s active lifestyle and service also kept him mentally sharp into his late 90s.
Advances in medicine and wellbeing
Those born more recently, like Prince Philip, benefited from ever-improving medical treatments, preventive care, nutrition, and overall living standards – extending their lifespans further.
Will future royals live even longer?
It’s quite possible future royals will surpass the current longevity records. With ongoing advances in many areas, royals born in the 21st century could realistically exceed 100 years of age. Here are some factors that support even longer royal lifespans:
Precision medicine
Genetic screening and biomarkers allow doctors to predict disease risks and customize preventive health strategies for each patient. This is unlocking more targeted, effective care.
Health knowledge
Our understanding of nutrition, exercise, mental health, and lifestyle habits that promote longevity is more sophisticated than ever before. This empowers royals to fine-tune their personal health.
Diagnostic technology
Tools like medical imaging and lab tests can diagnose diseases at earlier stages when they’re most treatable. Early detection gives royals the best chance at survival.
Access to innovation
Kings, queens, and their families often get early access to the latest medical innovations not yet available to the general public. Being on the cutting edge improves outcomes.
Gerontology research
Studies specifically delving into the biological mechanisms of aging are uncovering interventions that slow aging and counteract disease. Royals can take advantage of this anti-aging knowledge.
Of course, there are no guarantees – royalty today still faces health risks from cancer, infections, accidents or other causes. But the odds are ever in favor of record royal longevity in the coming decades.
Conclusion
Prince Arthur of Connaught holds the current record for the oldest confirmed royal at 95 years of age. Improved living standards, nutrition, medicine and longevity knowledge enabled royals of the last two centuries to increasingly survive into their 80s, 90s and beyond. With ongoing advances benefiting royals, it’s likely future kings, queens and their relatives will smash current records and live past 100 years old. Royals of the 22nd century may be hitting lifespans of 110 or more. But only time will tell who among today’s royals will become the longest-lived of all time.