Queen of Our Times: The Life of Queen Elizabeth II

A definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the seventieth anniversary of her reign by a renowned royal biographer. Shy but with a steely self-confidence; inscrutable despite ten decades in the public eye; unflappable; devout; indulgent; outwardly reserved, inwardly passionate; unsentimental; inquisitive; young at heart. All of these describe Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, who has reigned through more seismic social change than any monarch since 1066 (Charles I included). From the Abdication to the Sussexes, she has witnessed family crises on a scale not seen since the days of George III. Yet she is not merely hanging on. She is a 21st Century global phenomenon commanding unrivalled respect and affection. Sealed off during the greatest peacetime emergency of modern times, she has stuck to her own maxim: ‘I must be seen to be believed.’ And now she is preparing for an event without parallel since the reign of Louis XIV: her Platinum Jubilee. On February 6th, 2022 ,she marks 70 years on the Throne. Robert Hardman, the acclaimed and respected author of Her Majesty and Queen of the World has already examined the Queen as a modern monarch and her role as a stateswoman abroad. Now, he wraps up the full story of one of the undisputed greats in a thousand years of monarchy. Hardman distils Elizabeth's complex life in to a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal. It is a portrait of a world leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the Throne at age twenty-five. With peerless access to members of the Royal Family, staff, friends and royal records, Queen of Our Times will bring fresh insights and scholarship on the modern royal story. There will be no more thorough, more readable, more original book on the record-breaking Elizabeth II as she reaches a landmark which, surely, can never be equaled. A Sunday Times Book of the Year Queen Of Our Times is the definitive biography of Queen Elizabeth II by one of Britain's leading royal authorities, Robert Hardman. This commemorative edition includes an epilogue reflecting upon Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee, her passing and her funeral. 'Sensational' – Kirsty Young, The Platinum Pageant (BBC) With fascinating revelations from those who knew her best and special access to unseen royal papers granted by Elizabeth II herself, author and royal expert Robert Hardman explores the full, astonishing life of our longest reigning monarch in this authoritative yet intimate biography. The book also charts the way in which the Queen raised the future King Charles III as both son and heir. Elizabeth was not born to be queen, being third in line to the throne. Yet from her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the age of Covid-19, she proved an astute and quietly determined figure, leading her family and her people through more than seventy years of unprecedented social change. She faced constitutional crises, confronted threats against her life, unified the Commonwealth, saw fifteen British prime ministers come and go, charmed world leaders, and steered her family through a lifetime in the public eye. Her Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in June 2022 and her death mourned months later, both events a reminder of the huge impact she had made. Queen of Our Times is a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal, spanning abdication, war, romance, danger and tragedy. It is a compelling portrait of a leader whose legacy of steadfast service lives on. The Sunday Times Bestseller The Definitive Biography Of Her Majesty The Queen By One Of Britain’s Leading Royal Authorities. 'sensational' - Kirsty Young, Bbc1's The Platinum Pageant 'this Is A Beautifully-crafted, Deeply Informed And Rounded Portrait Of The Gold Standard Monarch And The Age To Which She Has Given Her Name. Queen Of Our Times Has Depth, Feel And Insight In Abundance’ - Historian Peter Hennessy With Original Insights From Those Who Knew Her Best, New Interviews With World Leaders And Access To Unseen Papers, Bestselling Author Robert Hardman Explores The Full, Astonishing Life Of Our Longest Reigning Monarch In This Compellingly Authoritative Yet Intimate Biography. Elizabeth Ii Was Not Born To Be Queen. Yet From Her Accession As A Young Mother Of Two In 1952 To The Age Of Covid-19, She Proved An Astute And Quietly Determined Figure, Leading Her Family And Her People Through More Than Seventy Years Of Unprecedented Social Change. She Faced Constitutional Crises, Confronted Threats Against Her Life, Rescued The Commonwealth, Saw Her Prime Ministers Come And Go, Charmed World Leaders, Was Criticised As Well As Feted By The Media, And Steered Her Family Through A Lifetime In The Public Eye. Queen Of Our Times Is A Must-read Study Of Dynastic Survival And Renewal, Spanning Abdication, War, Romance, Danger And Tragedy. It Is A Compelling Portrait Of A Leader Who Will Remain An Icon For Generations To Come. The definitive biography of Her Majesty The Queen by one of Britain’s leading royal authorities.'This is a beautifully-crafted, deeply informed and rounded portrait of the gold standard monarch and the age to which she has given her name. Queen of Our Times has depth, feel and insight in abundance’ - historian, Peter HennessyWith original insights from those who know her best, new interviews with world leaders and access to unseen papers, bestselling author Robert Hardman explores the full, astonishing life of our longest reigning monarch in this compellingly authoritative yet intimate biography.Elizabeth II was not born to be queen. Yet from her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the age of Covid-19, she has proved an astute and quietly determined figure, leading her family and her people through more than seventy years of unprecedented social change. She has faced constitutional crises, confronted threats against her life, rescued the Commonwealth, seen her prime ministers come and go, charmed world leaders, been criticised as well as feted by the media, and steered her family through a lifetime in the public eye.Queen of Our Times is a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal, spanning abdication, war, romance, danger and tragedy. It is a compelling portrait of a leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the throne aged twenty-five. "The definitive new biography of Her Majesty The Queen by one of Britain's leading royal authorities. With original insights from those who know her best, unseen papers, new interviews with world leaders and a fresh perspective on the longest reign in British history, Robert Hardman tells the full life story of the most famous woman in the world. Like her father and grandfather before her, Elizabeth II was not born to be monarch. Yet she has reigned through more change than any sovereign since 1066. From her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the age of Covid-19, she has become a global phenomenon commanding unrivalled respect and affection. Elizabeth II: Her Life. Her Reign. Her Story follows the astonishing journey of the quietly determined young woman who has gone on to lead her family and her people through good times and bad for longer than most people have been alive. This is a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal, spanning abdication, war, romance, danger, tragedy, drama, brickbats, laughter heroes and villains right up to the present day. Bestselling author Robert Hardman brings his long experience and expertise to this richly entertaining portrait of a world leader who remains as intriguing today as the morning she came to the Throne aged twenty-five"--Publisher's description **A definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the seventieth anniversary of her reign by a renowned royal biographer.**__Her Majesty____Queen of the World____Queen of Our Times__ Based on exclusive research and expert analysis, this insightful biography of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II delivers the full story of our greatest and best-loved monarch.