Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving monarch in British history and she was the world’s oldest head of state when she died peacefully on Thursday at age 96. While her official duties had been scaled back in her later years, the Queen was working right up until her death, even meeting with the new U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss on Tuesday.

To be not only living but working and maintaining an active lifestyle until her mid-90s means Her Majesty was doing some things right to keep her so healthy. She had COVID in February 2022 but beat it and because of her health and wellness, she had only been hospitalized for three brief visits over the last two decades. Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight all contributed to her long and healthy life, and these are the habits she was known to follow.

• The Queen preferred "sensible exercise"

  Her Royal Highness wasn’t into intense workouts, instead, she preferred activities like riding horses and walking her corgis, according to author Bryan Kozlowski.

• She enjoyed spending time in nature

  Particularly in the Scottish countryside around the royal family’s Balmoral estate.

• Her Majesty also never smoked

  This had to help boost her longevity and so did the fact that she got good sleep.

• She ate a balanced diet

  The Queen was “not a foodie,” according to Darren McGrady, her chef from 1982 to 1993. Instead she preferred simple meals and he says she was “very disciplined” and would often eat low-carb meals when dining along.

• But she did enjoy treats and alcohol

  Before a simple lunch, the Queen would enjoy a gin and Dubonnet (a sweet wine-based aperitif) with a slice of lemon, according to McGrady. She also liked a dry martini but stopped having a daily one last year for her health. Her former chef also reveals that Her Royal Highness was a “chocoholic” who loved dark chocolate, which has known health benefits.

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