Copying Queen Elizabeth’s healthy habits may not make you a monarch, but it may help you live a longer and happier life.
Living almost a century is no small feat… yet Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, or Queen Elizabeth II, added this milestone to her very long list of remarkable accomplishments. Born on April 21, 1926, and passing away on September 8, 2022, she lived 96 years and four months. For context, a woman born in 1926 had only a 3.2% chance of reaching the age of 100. Not only did Queen Elizabeth live a long life—becoming the longest-reigning monarch in English history—but she also remained remarkably healthy. After her husband Prince Philip died in 2021 at age 99, the Queen herself experienced several health challenges, including Covid-19. Yet she felt well enough to officially appoint Liz Truss as the newly elected Prime Minister just two days before her passing.
So how did Queen Elizabeth live so long? Good genetics and luck likely played a role, but much credit goes to her healthy lifestyle. The Queen had several well-known wellness habits. Ready to take notes? Following her example won’t make you royalty, but it may certainly make you happier and healthier.
1. Eating Breakfast
Queen Elizabeth’s breakfast, served at 8:30 a.m., was a consistent part of her daily routine. Eating a healthy breakfast has long been linked with longer life, likely because breakfast-eaters tend to have a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes. And what did the Queen choose each morning? Tea with biscuits, followed by a bowl of her favorite cereals.
2. Having Pets
Elizabeth was famously devoted to her beloved dogs, especially her corgis. Research shows that owning pets can improve health by reducing blood pressure, stress and healthcare costs (pet owners visit doctors less often). Pets can also combat depression and lower the risk of obesity, cancer, and diabetes. So it might be time for a walk with your own furry friend!
3. Horseback Riding
Horses were part of Queen Elizabeth’s life from childhood, and she excelled in riding. She loved horses so much that she once gifted a mare to her son Prince Charles for his wedding. Riding is fun, but it’s also great physical exercise, which may have contributed to her famously sharp mind (and wit!). A major 2022 Alzheimer’s study found that regular exercise is one of the best ways to slow age-related cognitive decline. The type of activity matters less—so take a page from the Queen’s book and choose something you enjoy!
4. Tea Time
Queen Elizabeth began her day with a cup of black Earl Grey tea. Like many Britons, she drank it without sugar, but with a splash of milk. A daily cup of tea supports organ health, protects against chronic disease, and helps repair cells. While green tea often gets the spotlight today, black tea—including Earl Grey—offers impressive benefits too. Its biggest advantage? It may strengthen your immune system and reduce infection risk—both strongly linked to longevity.
5. Snacking—But in Small Portions
Every day, Elizabeth enjoyed jam sandwiches with her afternoon tea. These treats, known as “jam pennies,” were simply jam spread on buttered white bread with the crusts removed. Not the healthiest food, but the Queen adored them. Nutrition experts say the key to a healthy lifestyle isn’t forbidding all treats—it’s enjoying them in smart portions. This worked for the Queen: her sandwiches were called “pennies” because each one was the size of an old English penny—about an inch in diameter!
6. Humor
Elizabeth was known for her sharp wit and excellent sense of humor, often photographed laughing wholeheartedly. Close friends shared many stories about her love for jokes. For example, when a tourist told her she “looked very much like the Queen,” she replied, “Well, that’s reassuring!” Humor is powerful medicine for both brain and body—it boosts mood, reduces stress, improves social bonds, and yes, increases longevity. Try your own humor experiment and see how it changes your life!
7. Loving Relationships
Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth surely faced ups and downs, like any couple, but they appeared deeply bonded—they remained married for over 70 years. A happy partnership brings more than emotional fulfillment. Studies on the “marriage benefit” show that stable couples tend to maintain healthier weight, exercise more, take vacations, and enjoy better overall health.
8. Close Family and Friends
Being part of a famous family can be challenging. Yet despite periodic conflicts, it was clear that Queen Elizabeth had strong connections with her loved ones, who stayed close when she needed them. Research shows that loneliness and social isolation can shorten life expectancy as much as smoking, while strong social ties extend lifespan—and add more joy to those extra years.
9. Enjoying Nature
Gardening and walking outdoors were two of Elizabeth’s favorite hobbies, and she was often photographed combining the two at garden shows. Great news for nature lovers: both hobbies are associated with longer life. It’s not just the physical activity that boosts health. According to “forest bathing” studies, simply being outdoors reduces stress hormones, slows heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and enhances feelings of safety and well-being. Even keeping indoor plants, as the Queen did, improves mental health.
10. Having Meaningful Work
Queen Elizabeth dedicated her life to serving the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. She loved her work, and it showed. She was famous for her “walkabouts”—trips in which she greeted and spoke with people all over the world. This passion likely contributed to her longevity. Research shows that people with a purpose tend to be more optimistic and happier overall.
Perhaps the most important health (and life) lesson we can learn from Queen Elizabeth’s 96 years is the value of perseverance—waking up and carrying on, no matter what. As she herself said:
“When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to strive for a better future.”
