Queen Elizabeth II of England is now the world's oldest monarch, a fact realized Friday after the death of Saudi Arabian King Abdullah, NBC News noted.
"I am saddened to learn of the death of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, HM King Abdullah bin Abd Al Aziz," the British monarch wrote to the new King Salman, who ascended the thrown immediately after King Abdullah died of pneumonia at age 90.
"Your distinguished brother Abdullah had devoted his life to the service of the Kingdom and the service of Islam."
Her Majesty is 88, which makes her one year older than Malaysia's Sultan Abdul Halim as well as Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej, NBC pointed out.
New Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, who was King Abdullah's half brother, is 79. He was the country's deputy's prime minister before the king's death, the station reported.
Of all the British monarchs, no one reigned longer than Queen Victoria, who ruled for 64 years from 1837 until her death 1901, according to Royal.gov.uk.
Queen Elizabeth, who turns 89 in the spring, will also claim that title if she is still monarch on Sept. 9, 2015.
