The history of monarchies on all continents is replete with conspiracies, coups and murders. Therefore, most crowned rulers were unable to hold the scepter in their hands long enough to be called long-lived monarchs. But there are no rules without exceptions: among the most famous rulers of the past and present, there were those who decided the destinies of their peoples for many decades. Among them are the French King Louis XIV, the English Queens Victoria and Elizabeth II, the Emperor of Austria-Hungary Franz Joseph and some others. And, of course, their reign is fraught with many secrets and mysteries.