Ageing Like A Queen: The Secrets To Elizabeth’s Longevity

Growing older, whilst becoming a Queen, are privileges denied to most of us. They require strength, self-control, resilience and, of course, great health. Her Majesty, the late Queen Elizabeth II, the United Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch and the oldest head of state in the world, succeeded at both.

But how did she remain amazingly comfortable in her own skin after all those decades?

This year’s exhibition, “Queen Elizabeth II: Her Life in Style,” currently on display at Buckingham Palace in London, along with a series of events marking 100 years since Queen Elizabeth II’s birth, has reignited public fascination with her enduring elegance, bringing her allure back stronger than ever, and here at CrunchyTales, we couldn’t resist taking a closer look at her overall approach to life, style, and well-being.

6 Lifestyle Habits for Ageing Like a Queen

She probably had very good genes to count on, but being in such a great form, well into her nineties, surpassing the average life expectancy for many women (at least in the UK), was also a matter of having a healthy lifestyle and great mental well being.

What was her secret? A surprisingly simple approach to nutrition, sensible exercise, a great sleep routine and, of course, a cup of Earl-Grey tea every morning to set off her day in the brightest possible way.

“She was a living example of what it looked like to stay vibrant under decades of enormous pressure and responsibility– British culturalist Bryan Kozlowski writes in his book Long Live the Queen: 23 Rules for Living from Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch-. She was truly a time capsule of a rapidly disappearing generation that approached life very differently than we do today, oftentimes with much more pluck and good sense, something that deserves to be remembered and, if we can, re-embraced“.

Here are some strategies behind the Queen’s remarkable self-preservation and longevity he has shared with us, after spending several years as a lifestyle and British culture researcher monitoring her brilliant approach to life.

• Eternal resilience

The Queen had never let life’s dramas get her down, regardless of the royal scandals she had to endure over the years. Being resilient was probably one of her most popular traits. She was well known for staying on top of her work, spending leisure time, navigating both familiar and professional relationships, and managing to do it all while ageing gracefully.

“Elizabeth came from a dignity culture, where everyone was very responsible for their own emotions,” said Kozlowski, who believes the queen’s positive attitude gives her mental strength. “She practiced what psychologists call benefit-finding. She had this willingness to adapt, which banishes the insidious stress you get from resisting change. That contributed to longevity and a fulfilling existence for sure.”

• Continuing education

The Queen knew the importance of continuing engagement in activities and relationships. As a result, she was never off duty, keeping her brain active, through work or educational projects. She saw public and voluntary service as one of the most important elements of her work.

“The Crown was Elizabeth II’s life: a twofer package with inseparable symbiosis of duty and identity,” Kozlowski writes. “Over the years, she demonstrated compassion and tenderheartedness by supporting several charitable organizations and good causes, balancing work-life and productivity”.

• Self-care habits

Despite being always hard working, the Queen definitely fiound regular daytime breaks to rest and recharge. Her Majesty loveds spending time outdoors walking her dogs around the grounds of Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace and had also long been fond of horseback riding for most of her life. Whether spending time in nature or enjoying quiet time alone, it’s no doubt she contributed to her strong immune system.

“To achieve longevity, most people tend to think you need to maintain a rigorous fitness regime,” said Kozlowski, “not the queen. She was a great believer in sensible exercise, such as brisk walks with her corgis and horseback riding. Research says the types of exercise you keep up are the ones which give you pleasure“.

• Great sleeping routine

The Queen’s lifespan could be also a direct result of her excellent sleep routine, according to health researchers. She had in fact reportedly followed a strict bedtime regime. She typically went to bed at about 11 pm to guarantee a solid 8 hours of rest, an absolute must for the hardworking Elizabeth, and arose every morning feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day.

• Healthy Diet

The Queen ate everything but in moderation. Mostly an unfussy eater, she preferred to dine on simple comfort foods. Her meals were mostly high in protein and low in carbs, consisting of grilled Dover sole or Scottish salmon with spinach or zucchini. She also liked simple salad with grilled chicken and sticks to a no-starch rule. Of course, she didn’t skip desserts. Fresh peaches, strawberries or dark chocolate were the Queen’s favourite ones. Occasionally, she enjoyed a homemade chocolate dessert. When it came to alcohol, she enjoyed drinking gin cocktails, champagne and dry martinis.

• Never skip your tea

The monarch’s favourite ritual was, of course, an afternoon tea with sandwiches and scones. Former butler to the Queen, and etiquette expert Grant Harrold revealed: “The Queen enjoyed her Assam or her Earl Grey the traditional way, made with tea leaves in a teapot and poured into a fine bone china teacup. She also used a strainer.”  Mr Grant also noted that the Queen always added milk to the cup after the tea because: “since the 18th century, the proper way of brewing tea has been to serve tea before milk, and this is something that the British royals adhere to”.

A Royal Blueprint for Living Well Longer

Queen Elizabeth II’s long and remarkably healthy life has even been also examined in a Lancet paper as a case study in how privilege and life circumstances shape ageing.

According to the experts, at its core was an extraordinary level of socioeconomic security: wealth, access to world-class healthcare, stable housing, and lifelong financial comfort, that removed many of the everyday stressors known to undermine long-term health.

But the article goes beyond simply attributing longevity to riches. It highlights how her life was also defined by purpose, routine, and connection: regular public duties kept her mentally engaged and socially active, while family proximity and constant interaction with global affairs helped sustain a strong sense of belonging.

Even her lifestyle habits: walking her dogs, spending time in expansive green estates, and staying physically active through daily responsibilities, quietly reinforced wellbeing. Importantly, the piece also notes what she was largely spared from: the social isolation and age-based marginalisation many older adults face.

The takeaway isn’t that such a life can be replicated in full, but that elements of it such as security, social connection, movement, and dignity in ageing, offer a broader template for healthier longevity that policy and society could make more widely accessible.

Ageing Like a Queen: A Legacy of Grace and Vitality

What a remarkable example Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II set—one filled with quiet strength, perspective, and lessons we can all carry with us.

She understood the reality of time passing, once noting with characteristic pragmatism that age isn’t always kind and that the best we can do is keep going with dignity and purpose. And yet, she never lost her sense of humour.

“I can never wear beige – she famously joked- otherwise nobody will know who I am.”

Because in the end, successful ageing isn’t just about how many years we live, but how we live them. It’s about holding on to vitality, curiosity, and joy, making life rich and meaningful, whether we wear a crown or not.

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