The Queen is VERY elderly. I think people almost forget this.

[ChicChicChicChiclana]

Yes, she is 5 years younger than her husband who is still alive.

And she is 7 years or so younger than her mother was when she died.

But she's 93, nearly 94!!

In my middle class well cared for and generally healthy extended family, the longest lived have been 93 and 95. Most elderly relatives die in their 80s (no complaints here, that's still a very fair innings).

But HRH still gets out of the house, without walking aids, and puts in a public appearance more often than not.

She's extraordinary. Does anyone else here have a 93 year old in their family who is equally sprightly?

None in my family, most seem to go in their 80s so I'm hoping for another 20 years but I wouldn't say no to an extra 10 if I was as well as the queen.

I've got friends who are the same age, still driving, still flying alone! People are not only living longer but staying well (of course not everyone but some)

My grandma was super fit and capable until just before she died at age 97.

The Queen has had a much longer working life than most people in this country.

Princess Margaret died at 70 and she had much the same life. Bar the scotch and fags.

1. Top doctors - not the NHS
2. Endless mental stimulation (no Suss Ex-Royals jokes pls )
3. Best food, best housing, no queues
4. No housework or indeed job, very long hols
5. Exercise
6. Waited on hand and foot by 1,000 servants/carers

The royals (and the other very, very rich, high-profile people) do seem to live very long lives on the whole. Part of it is obviously good fortune/genes, but I think finances do probably come into the equation as well. It helps if you have your own private/on-call doctors available at all times - and have the wherewithal to have world-class specialists flown in to attend to you.

To an extent, there are treatments that can be provided if you have the money for them - things that the NHS cannot/will not provide for ordinary folk (who simply could not dream of affording them themselves) and would certainly not countenance for somebody over 80. Obviously, there is a limit and when your body finally gives up, it's game over; but until that point, there's a lot that money can do to extend it and make things easier.

She's got the best of the best of everything. She's defended in her position because she can "hold the government in check" which she has spectacularly failed at - twice - over the last year. Time she, and the rest of her family, were put out to grass.

She doing amazingly for her age. My grandfather lived to 102 and while he was still walking into town in his 90s I don't think he could have been horse riding, giving speeches, attending functions etc etc like the queen.
I am 51 and have bad knees, hip, wrists , a stiff neck. ...

Yes my dad is 94, still lives in the family home, mostly on his own, walks unaided, travels abroad, and potters in the garden.

He still helps family and friends with their tax, funds and money management as he was a financial advisor !

He’s had cancer if the skin, and bowel and other mild health problems but has come through fine.

I think the queen is amazing, still head of state and performing her duties, god bless her 😀

I think the queen works really hard STILL and would hate to have to do all that at her age! Remember that awful river trip (some anniversary?) where they had hot water bottles under their clothes, stood on deck freezing for hours and then Prince Philip was ill afterwards? Not easy...

But yes - they have all the best support, and yes, their job isn't down t'mines or whatever, which must help. My GPs on one side lived well into their 90s, and DF did say it probably helped that they were schoolteachers so hadn't had a hard manual life. DF's dad was a farmer and died at 89 - nothing really wrong with him but his body was worn out.

DMiL (his wife) was milking cows at 4 am and doing all the housework, chickens, making clothes and bedlinen, raising kids, feeding all the men etc etc, and is now nearly 93. She does the garden all morning and wonders why she gets a bit tired sometimes in the afternoon......

Sorry - DPs Dad was a farmer, not DF's.......

DMil is great, but I can't see her on a horse these days, or even a bike! She can hold her own at skittles and ping pong though......

My great grandma was 103, her daughters were 97 & 98 when they died. All well mentally and in reasonable physical health and living in their own homes when they died.

My grandma was the youngest child and still going strong at 99.

I'm hoping I've got some good genes, as my other grandparents made it to 83, 89 & 93 without any major issues.

She's lived a very privileged life with the best health care, without having to do any chores, cooking or housework and when she's not doing public engagements her time is her own to do what she wants so I'm not surprised - she hasn't had the stresses that most of us have in our lives.

To the posters taking issue with my comment that Queenie has never worked a day in her life, I did make it clear I was referring to going out to work and doing eight hours in a factory or a shop or whatever.
I also made it clear that I accept she does work of a sort, but nevertheless bear in mind she has always been chauffeured everywhere, no standing around waiting for a bus, clothes laundered and laid out for her, every meal, snack, drink made by someone else etc. I read that she feeds her dogs but the footman brings the dog food and dishes to her.
It’s a different life.
And probably Margaret died much younger because she smoked like a chimney and drank like a fish.
Not sure about the King but I think it was said he wasn’t strong?

The Queen is amazing really. I think she's remarkable especially considering the awful few months she's had with family issues and Prince Philip doesn't seen too well so I'm sure she's worried about him too.
My gran was 96 when she died and lived independently until she was 95, walking to the shops, doing her own cooking and cleaning. My other grandmother lived until she was 98 and although my aunt moves in with her she was remarkably independent right up until she died.

MIL is 93. A bit wobbly perhaps - needs a stick and memory not what it was but still sharp and gets out and about every day unless its tipping it down. She lives independently but in an annex to my SIL's house.

My neighbour was sprightly till about 95. About 97 now and in a care home. The thing about the Queen is that she’s had people to do for her all her life. She has a private doctor too so can probably get checked over and treated very quickly. . I notice she’s very cautious on steps these days, understandable at her age.

My grandmother was like that, we blame her long life in her unlimited and immediate access to the best medical consultants and newest medical technology as her eldest son was a senior partner in one of the biggest private hospital in the country.

When you have that level of service you don’t age in the same way as more mortal do, much less so if you have had a chef cooking organic meals for you and your dogs since you were a baby.

The longevity of the royal family is based on wealth, simple as that.

I know of a friend's relative who is now 105 (I think, might be a year younger) who is in perfect health, very sprightly and still likes to travel several times a year. She's extraordinary.

Not in my family, but I've known a couple of very lively, energetic women in their nineties. Sadly, one has now passed away, but she was amazing - physically active and intellectually curious until the end, and very involved in political and environmental causes. The other is still alive - she has outlived her entire family, including her only child, but continues to keep busy with voluntary work to support people with disabilities. Two inspiring women.

The Queen’s father and sister were heavy smokers and Margaret was also a heavy drinker. Her father had lung cancer I think. The Queen has had an element of luck and good genes from her mum and also has made better lifestyle choices than her father and sister

she hasn't had the stresses that most of us have in our lives.

No. She’s had very different stresses that most of us would never want. I’ll take cooking, cleaning and laundry any day over what she has to do.

my great grandmother was very fit and mentally totally with it until she just didn't wake up one morning.
she was 97

Also, I wonder about genes...my maternal grandparents both died in their late 80's, my maternal great grandparents both made 99. Yet my Mum and all her siblings died young between early 50's and mid 60's. I wonder how much of an impact environment and processed food has had on longevity.

Yes, both my parents. And before them all of my dad's family were in their nineties when they died and pretty much in good health till near the end.

No one had the immense privileges the monarch has had either, all very poor starts to life.