Biography: royalty Books

Book SynopsisWith the world watching, Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, third in line of succession to the throne, was born on 22nd July 2013. The next day, his proud parents stepped out of St Mary's hospital, London, to present their baby to the excited crowds. From the beginning, the world had watched with bated breath as the charming prince and his future bride overcame the struggles of university, rumours and a brief break-up before finally reconciling and becoming engaged. The royal wedding in 2011 - watched by an incredible estimated 2 billion people worldwide - was a defining moment, not only in their young lives, but also for the perception of the monarchy. When the Palace announced the Duchess's much-anticipated pregnancy in 2012, a public frenzy surrounded the arrival of the heir to the throne. Now that the Duke has left the military to focus on his royal duties and charity work, there is already speculation as to whether George will follow in his father's footsteps, with a passion for wildlife and conservation. Packed with expert analysis and exclusive photographs, this is an essential read for royalists and romantics alike.

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Book Synopsis***A Best Book of 2022, The Times******Book of the Year, Spectator***A myth-busting biography of Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I, which retells the dramatic story of the civil war from her perspectiveHenrietta Maria, Charles I's queen, is the most reviled consort to have worn the crown of Britain's three kingdoms. Condemned as that 'Popish brat of France', a 'notorious whore' and traitor, she remains in popular memory the wife who wore the breeches and turned her husband Catholic - so causing a civil war - and a cruel and bigoted mother.Leanda de Lisle's White King was hailed as 'the definitive modern biography about Charles I' (Observer). Here she considers Henrietta Maria's point of view, unpicking the myths to reveal a very different queen. We meet a new bride who enjoyed annoying her uptight husband, a leader of fashion in clothes and cultural matters, an innovative builder and gardener and an advocate of the female voice in public affairs. No bigot, her closest friends included 'Puritans' as well as Catholics, and she led the anti-Spanish faction at court linked to the Protestant cause in the Thirty Years' War. When civil war came, the strategic planning and fundraising of his 'She Generalissimo' proved crucial to Charles's campaign.The story takes us to courts across Europe, and looks at the fate of Henrietta Maria's mother and sisters, who also faced civil wars. Her estrangement from her son Henry is explained, and the image of the Restoration queen as an irrelevant crone is replaced with Henrietta Maria as an influential 'phoenix queen', presiding over a court with 'more mirth' even than that of the Merry Monarch, Charles II.It is time to look again at this despised queen and judge if she is not in fact one of our most remarkable.'this is revisionist history at its absolute best' ANDREW ROBERTS'beautifully written and endlessly fascinating' ALEXANDER LARMAN'popular history of the finest kind' RONALD HUTTONTrade ReviewA thrilling biography -- DANIEL BROOKS * The Daily Telegraph *Competent, intelligent, fun... de Lisle...has a visceral understanding of the complex emotions that swirled inside Henrietta Maria * The Times, *Books of the Year* *A shrewd and elegant reassessment of Charles's I consort and widow... She was certainly a fighter -- Clare Mulley * Spectator, *Books of the Year* *Brilliantly written, mesmerising, superb scholarship and totally immersive . . . a total game changer -- KATE WILLIAMS, author of Rival Queens: the Betrayal of Mary Queen of ScottsWith grace and sensitivity, de Lisle cuts through the misogyny to reveal a different Henrietta Maria . . . De Lisle understands that history is a story of people; she possesses a visceral understanding of the emotions that swirled inside Henrietta Maria . . . she was not England's greatest queen, but she was probably the most remarkable -- GERARD DEGROOT * The Times * Book of the Week * *De Lisle has made a speciality of bringing Tudors and Stuarts back to blazing life... The result is deeply satisfying and makes an excellent companion to her earlier much-admired biography of Charles I, White King -- Kathryn Hughes * Sunday Times *A captivating, richly detailed historical tale that shines a light on the hidden genius of an extraordinary woman * Literary Review *de Lisle turns her attention to [Charles I's] wife, Henrietta Maria, similarly shading with nuance a character who can sometimes be reduced to primary-colour simplicity * History Today *A glorious resurrection of one of the most misrepresented queens of England . . . finally, thanks to Leanda de Lisle's meticulous research, she has a biography worthy of her fascinating life -- AMANDA FOREMAN, author of A World on FireHenrietta Maria's remarkable life is recounted with gusto in this sharp, sparky book... it makes vivid use of recent work on her court and queenship, brings people and personalities to the fore and will be a particular delight to those new to the period -- ANNA KEAY * Spectator *

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Book SynopsisMary was crowned queen in 1553. In the space of just five years, her brutal methods earned her the macabre nickname she has carried ever since. Men such as Nicholas Ridley and Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, were burned at the stake, as were some 300 others who refused to renounce their Protestantism and accept Papal supremacy. This lucid and expert account sheds light on a dreadful episode in English history.

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Book SynopsisA sumptuous celebration of the life of His Majesty King Charles III, published to coincide with the festivities, traditions and pageantry of his Coronation in May 2023. On 8th September 2022, His Majesty King Charles III, formerly The Prince of Wales, ascended to the throne. As Britain, the Commonwealth and people across the world eagerly await the Coronation of the new monarch, this fascinating account tells the story of the boy born to be King. Follow his journey, from schoolboy and eligible young bachelor to his time in the armed forces, and from the birth of his sons, William and Harry, to his more recent role as grandfather. This captivating chronicle describes his accession to the throne – lived out in the public eye following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II – and recounts his interest in sport, his royal homes and his life with his wife Camilla, who will be crowned alongside him as Queen Consort. Alongside his dedication to his work as a senior member of the Royal Family, the book explores not only his official and ceremonial duties, both in the United Kingdom and overseas, but also the patronages and passions that he has long held so so dear. Giving a taste of the tradition and pageantry to be expected from the spectacular Coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London, this guide reflects on his previous role as Prince of Wales and looks towards the future in his role as King, giving an insight into the man behind the throne.Trade Review‘Lavishly illustrated’ Sunday Independent (IE) ‘With a wealth of experience in writing about the Royal Family, Knappett provides readers with fascinating details on the new king’ This England 'Fascinating’ Sunday Post

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Book SynopsisThe Austro-Hungarian Empire dominated central Europe until 1918, when the last Habsburg Emperor, Karl, fled into exile. Karl's death in 1921 made his nine-year-old son Otto head of the Hapsburg family, a position he has now held for over eighty years. Born heir presumptive to an empire that stretched from the Tyrol to Transylvania, and from Poland to Sarajevo, Otto von Habsburg's life has both affected and been reflected in some of the most dramatic and historic events of the twentieth century. As a four year old in 1916, he walked in the funeral procession of the Emperor Franz Josef. Otto von Habsburg later became the focus of royalist loyalty, a Habsburg restoration attracting considerable political support until the Second World War. Refusing any contact with Hitler (whose code name for the Anschluss was Operation Otto), he fled first to France then America, where he formed a friendship with F.D. Roosevelt. Never living in the past, he later became a highly respected Member of the European Parliament.Table of ContentsIllustrations; Introduction; 1. A Shaky Inheritance; 2. The Perfect Match; 3. Collape: A Child's Eye View; 4. Exile at Home: Eckartsau; 5. Swiss Dramas; 6.. 'Your Majesty'; 7. The Conundrum of the Crown; 8. Meltdown in Vienna; 9. Fatal Encounter; 10. Takeover by Telephone; 11. Hoecoming; 12. New Horizons; 13. Across the Water; 14. Dropping Anchor; 15. Mr Europe; 16. Balance Sheet; 17. Royal Endgame; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

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Book SynopsisBy kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen, this book has been based on extensive research over many years in the Royal Archives and elsewhere. The author was the first official Curator of the Royal Photograph Collection. Queen Alexandra was a private person who destroyed or left instructions to destroy, much of her archive, but nevertheless enough remains in the form of original documents, such as engagement diaries and letters and informal information, to chart her life more completely than ever before and to attempt to rectify the negative or dismissive attitude towards her which has gained credence in some previous works. This method, rather than drawing mainly from over-salted and peppered memoirs written much later, aims to show her character, enables readers to get to know her and to appreciate what an enormous amount a senior member of the royal family has to accomplish, while still remaining the loving daughter, sister, wife and mother, and keen supporter of the arts, welfare and education, that Alexandra was. During her life she met many famous, notable and intriguing people, while her own journey - from the young, modest Danish Princess who married the Prince of Wales in 1863, to the popular Queen Consort of King Edward VII, and the beloved Queen Mother - saw her personal development and courageous struggle against disability, especially deafness. She was a generous, thoughtful and caring woman, who maintained her sense of humour and interest in all kinds of things and under sometimes challenging circumstances. She could be a lively correspondent and her letters will help readers to understand her far better than has hitherto been possible. This book is long and detailed and readers may like to dip in and out of it, finding stories in all parts, rather than reading it straight through, but it might claim a place among the variety of entertainments which are comforting us in these difficult times.Table of ContentsPreface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Illustrations; Queen Alexandra's descent from King Henry VII of England; Chapter 11844-1860A Danish Childhood; The House of Glucksburg's descent from the Danish Royal Family; ; Chapter 2 1861-1862 "She .. . longs to go to England"; Chapter 3 1863-1864 "We love each other greatly"; Chapter 4 1865-1869 "An entirely new world"; Chapter 5 1870-1874 "When I was in trouble I called upon the Lord and He heard me"; Chapter 6 1875-1879 "When I might have gone [to India] .. . he would not let me"; Chapter 7 1880-1884 "I think we are bound to try and help those who are so near and dear to us"; Chapter 8 1885-1889 "Yes indeed we are a most happy family"; Chapter 9 1890-1894 "My darling Eddy"; Chapter 10 1895-1899 "I am going to make my will .. . and begin tearing my letters"; Chapter 11 1900-1904 "Nothing like Perseverance"; Chapter 12 1905-1909 "I think we all learn to be Diplomats from experience" ; Chapter 13 1910-1913 "My overwhelming sorrow and unspeakable anguish"; Chapter 14 1914-1918 "A horrible butchery on innocent people"; Chapter 15 1919-1925 "How I wish he was still with me"; ; Genealogical Tables; Unpublished Sources; Bibliography; Index Notes; Index of Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII; Index of Persons; General Index

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Book SynopsisThe Other Tudor Princess brings to life the story of Margaret Douglas, a shadowy and mysterious character in Tudor history – but who now takes centre stage in this tale of the bitter struggle for power during the reign of Henry VIII.

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Book SynopsisA unique insight into one of the world's most famous monarch's personal opinions and feelings on the highest-profile figures of the dayTrade ReviewThis compelling series of vignettes build into a full portrait of the great Queen as we have never seen her before -- Robert LaceyThis is Queen Victoria from an entirely new perspective. Ian Lloyd proves that even a century after her death there is still much to learn about the monarch we thought we knew so well -- Joe Little

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Book SynopsisA witty and unconventional biography of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in his centenary year – perfect for fans of The CrownTrade ReviewA fascinating account of Prince Philip as seen from every conceivable angle. Ian Lloyd demonstrates that there is much we didn’t know about this much-loved – and at times controversial – royal consort -- Joe Little, editor of Majesty magazineFascinating -- Victoria Ward, Daily TelegraphWonderfully lively -- GraziaJaunty, fun and informative ... a multifaceted account * Tatler *Witty [and] well-researched -- Alice Scarsi, Daily ExpressVery readable ... The book doesn’t gloss over any criticism of its subject, but reminds us that Philip has lived an extraordinary life that, in many ways, has been far from easy -- Roland White, Daily Mail

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Book SynopsisToo often dismissed as the unready king - unprepared, ill-advised, and incapable of dealing with the military and political crises that faced the Anglo-Saxon kingdom, not least of which were a series of Viking onslaughts - King Aethelred has gone down in history as an incompetent failure. This new biography redresses the indictment, placing Aethelred into his proper historical context. Central to the study is the authoritarian manner in which the king ran the English kingdom for much of his reign.King Aethelred is shown to have made effective use of the infamous Danegel and to have demonstrated royal power on a number of occasions with devastating results. While there were mishaps, disasters, and family intrigue, Aethelred managed to come through these crises until the final Danish invasion of 1013. Illustrated and including original reconstruction paintings, this study gives an insight into the turbulent politics of a 38-year reign and addresses the manner in which King Aethelred used his authority as a medieval English monarch.

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Book SynopsisRichard III is accused of murdering his nephews (the ''Princes in the Tower'') in order to usurp the throne of England. Since Tudor times he has been painted as the ''black legend,'' the murderous uncle. However, the truth is much more complicated and interesting. Rather than looking at all the killings Richard III did not commit, this book focuses on the one execution for which we know that he was responsible.On Friday 13 June 1483, William, Lord Hastings was hustled from a meeting of the Royal Council and summarily executed on Tower Green within the confines of the Tower of London. Peter A. Hancock sheds light on the mystery of this precipitate and unadvised action by the then Duke of Gloucester and reveals the key role of William Catesby in Richard''s ascent to the throne of England. It explains his curious actions during that tumultuous summer of three kings and provides an explanation for the fate of the ''Princes in the Tower.''

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Book SynopsisWe are honoured to announce the re-release of the first ever Pitkin title, published by Mr Pitkin in 1947 to celebrate the magical wedding day of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in Westminster Abbey on 20 November 1947.

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Book SynopsisA beautiful pictorial souvenir commemorating the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. From her birth in London in 1926 to the celebration of her Platinum Jubilee in 2022, this touching tribute looks back at the life of Britain''s longest reigning monarch. Charting the courtship and marriage of the Queen''s parents, King George VI and Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the birth of the Queen and her sister Margaret Rose, the abdication crisis of 1936, the royal family''s role in World War II and the untimely death of the Queen''s beloved father in 1952, this beautifully illustrated book chronicles Her Majesty''s transition from princess to one of the most iconic and beloved modern heads of state. Also covering the coronation, the birth of the Commonwealth, the ''annus horribilis'' of 1992 and the advent of the modern royal family, historians and royal watchers - including BBC journalists Scott Reeves, June Woolerton and Jon Wright - detail the events, both personal and private, that defined t

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Book SynopsisIn anticipation of the upcoming royal wedding comes a new in-depth biography of Prince Harry, from royal expert Katie Nicholl-journalist, broadcaster, and author of the bestselling William and Harry and Kate.From his earliest public appearances as a mischievous redheaded toddler, Prince Harry has captured the hearts of royal enthusiasts around the world. In Harry: Life, Loss, and Love, Britain's leading expert on the young royals offers an unprecedented look at the wayward prince turned national treasure. Nicholl sheds new light on growing up royal, Harry's relationship with his mother, his troubled youth and early adulthood, and how his military service in Afghanistan inspired him to create his legacy, the Invictus Games.Harry: Life, Loss, and Love features interviews with friends, former courtiers and those who have worked with the prince. Nicholl explores Harry's relationship with his family, in particular, the Queen, his father, stepmother, and brother. She uncovers new information about his former girlfriends and chronicles his romance and engagement to Meghan Markle.

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Book SynopsisIn Royal Sisters, Anne Edwards, author of the best-selling Vivien Leigh: A Biography and Matriarch: Queen Mary and the House of Windsor, has written the first dual biography of Elizabeth, the princess who was to become Queen, and her younger sister, Margaret, who was to be her subject. From birth to maturity, they were the stuff of which dreams are made. “I’m three and you’re four,” the future Queen, then a child, imperiously informed her sister. The younger girl, not understanding this reference to their position in the succession, proudly countered, “No, you’re not. I’m three, you’re seven.” The royal sisters had no choice in their historic positions, but behind the palace gates and within the all-too-human confines of their personalities, they displayed tremendous individuality and suffered the usual symptoms of sibling rivalry. Royal Sisters provides an unprecedented and intimate portrait of these most famous siblings during their formative and dramatic youthful years. It is also one of the twentieth century’s most fascinating stories of sisterly loyalty. Edwards’s book is an honest look at how the royal sisters feel toward each other, their parents, their close relations and the men whom they have loved. It openly discusses, with new insights and information, the romance of Elizabeth and Philip and the tragic aborted love affair between Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend, and it has a cast of characters ranging from the youthful sisters’ suitors to Winston Churchill and the entire Royal Family. It is also the story of the making of a queen, of the high drama of her situation in the Townsend affair, of the real effect their uncle’s abdication had on the sisters’ lives, and of the internecine feuds that have brewed within the Royal Family since that time. Brought vividly to life through the many personal interviews of close royal associates, filled with new facts, previously unpublished anecdotes and photographs, Royal Sisters is a never-before-glimpsed look at the relationship of the Queen and Princess Margaret.

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Book SynopsisThe broadcast that George VI made to the nation on the outbreak of war in September 1939 - which formed the climax of the multi Oscar-winning film The King's Speech - was the product of years of hard work with Lionel Logue, his iconoclastic Australian-born speech therapist. Yet the relationship between the two men did not end there. Far from it: in the years that followed, Logue was to play an even more important role at the monarch's side.The King's War follows this relationship through the dark days of Dunkirk and the drama of D-Day to eventual victory in 1945 - and beyond. It is written by Peter Conradi, a Sunday Times journalist, and Mark Logue, Lionel's grandson, whose previous book, The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy, was a best-seller in Britain and America and translated into more than 20 languages.The book draws on exclusive material from the Logue Archive - the collection of diaries, letters and other documents left by Lionel and his feisty wife, Myrtle. It provides a fascinating portrait of two men and their respective families - the Windsors and the Logues - as they together faced up to the greatest challenge in Britain's history.

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