Biography: royalty Books

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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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Book Synopsis'Entertaining... Wilson is affectionate without being reverential.' Daisy Goodwin, The TimesIn this original and vibrant examination of the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II, biographer and novelist A.N. Wilson paints a vivid portrait of 'Lilibet' the woman, and of her reign. He also considers the history of the monarchy, drawing a line that stretches from Queen Victoria to the bloody history of Europe in the twentieth century, examining how and why the Royal Family has survived. In part historical overview, but with a keen eye to the future, Wilson writes with his signature warmth, intelligence and humour, celebrating the life of the Queen and her role as figurehead of Britain and the Commonwealth.Trade ReviewEntertaining... Wilson is affectionate without being reverential. -- Daisy Goodwin * The Times *The clear-eyed biographer sets his sights on our monarch in this unusual examination of life and times of HM The Queen * Britain magazine *

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Book SynopsisA celebration of the life of Queen Elizabeth II, showing us that the Queen's qualities of duty, self-sacrifice and love of country were present in her from an early age.'The moments in life of "knowing". On Bognor Beach, with Grandpa England, she had "known" that he, and Papa, and she, would carry something on, something given, something bigger than themselves.'Lilibet: a carefree child, a lover of horses and dogs, devoted to her family. And the girl who would be Queen.A.N. Wilson, one of England's most beloved writers, imagines the Queen reflecting on her early life. We watch as she discovers, at the tender age of ten, that she is heir to the throne. We witness her meet the dashing Prince Phillip of Greece, who she loved steadfastly from the age of fifteen, and see their friendship blossom into passionate love. Above all, we learn of her astonishing sense of vocation and public duty, which grew during the dark years of WWII and her father's subsequent years of ill health.Honouring the life of Her Majesty the Queen and her illustrious reign, Lilibet: The Girl Who Would be Queen is by turns funny, tender and heartfelt.'Superb... captures our Queen better than any biography' - Sunday Telegraph'It's packed with detail and conversations that bring to life all those who have been most important to her.' - Daily MailTrade ReviewWilson, our supreme literary operator, is to be praised for this superb distillation, which is much more perceptive than the lumpy official biographies. -- Roger Lewis * Sunday Telegraph *It's packed with detail and conversations that bring to life all those who have been most important to her. -- Sally Morris * Daily Mail *Much to learn and admire... [A] right royal curiosity -- Alex O'Connell * The Times *

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Book SynopsisA gripping royal saga of charmed lives in a changing world. The Jaipurs were India’s mid-century golden couple; its answer to the Kennedys, or Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Jai and Ayesha, as they were known to friends like Frank Sinatra, Truman Capote and ‘Dickie’ Mountbatten, entertained lavishly at their magnificent palaces and hunting lodges in Rajasthan—and in the nightclubs of London, Paris and New York. But as the Raj gave way to the new India, Jaipur—the most glamorous and romantic of the princely states—had to find its place. The House of Jaipur charts a dynasty’s determination to remain relevant in a democracy set on crushing its privileges. Against the odds, they secured their place at the height of Indian society; but Ayesha would pay for her criticism of Indira Gandhi during the Emergency. From the polo field and politics to imprisonment and personal tragedy, the Jaipurs’ extraordinary journey of transformation mirrors the story of a rapidly changing country.Trade Review'John Zubrzycki does an impressive job of … building up a memorable picture of a glittering family brought to its knees.' -- Daily Mail'Thrilling, deeply satisfying ... a must-read.' -- The Week‘As historian John Zubrzycki dives into the lives of India’s most powerful ruling family in a new book, we look at the power players, past and present, of the grand royal dynasty.’ -- Tatler‘A riveting saga … assiduously researched.’ -- India Today'Extremely readable . . . a nuanced view of the failings and contributions of Indian princes.' -- Sir Mark Tully, former BBC Bureau Chief, New Delhi'Zubrzycki unearths hidden gems with his remarkable storytelling.' -- The Hindu'An intriguing book which will keep the readers hooked till the end.' -- The Times of India'Goes beyond the glitter and gold of the Jaipur royal household to dig out the obscure accounts of romantic jealousies, property feuds, fatal addictions, suppressed grief and more.' -- Indian Express'A fascinating and absorbing book with an unforgettable cast of characters.' -- Sagarika Ghose, author of Indira: India’s Most Powerful Prime Minister

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Book SynopsisThe first in-depth dual-biography of Elizabeth & Margaret, written by the bestselling royal biographer, Andrew Morton.They were the closest of sisters and the best of friends. But when, in a quixotic twist of fate, their uncle Edward VIII decided to abdicate the throne, the dynamic between Elizabeth and Margaret was dramatically altered. Forever more, Margaret would have to curtsey to the sister she called ‘Lillibet’. And bow to her wishes.Elizabeth would always look upon her younger sister’s antics with a kind of stoical amusement but Margaret’s struggle to find a place and position inside the royal system – and her fraught relationship with its expectations – was often a source of tension. Famously, the Queen had to inform Margaret that the Church and government would not countenance her marrying a divorcee, Group Captain Peter Townsend, forcing Margaret to choose between keeping her title and royal allowances or her divorcee lover.From the idyll of their cloistered early life, through their hidden wartime lives, into the divergent paths they took following their father’s death and Elizabeth’s ascension to the throne, this book explores their relationship over the years. Andrew Morton, renowned bestselling author of Diana: Her True Story, offers unique insight into these two drastically different sisters – one resigned to duty and responsibility, the other resistant to it – and the lasting impact they have had on the Crown, the royal family and the way it has adapted to the changing mores of the twentieth century.Trade ReviewThoroughly researched and well written, the most comprehensive account of the complex relationship between the Queen and Princess Margaret to date. Fascinating and enjoyable. * Sarah Bradford, New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth *The dynamic between the two royal sisters is endlessly fascinating when presented by Andrew Morton. Informative, insightful, and never a dull page. Morton at his forensic best. * Ingrid Seward, author of Prince Philip Revealed and My Husband and I, editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine *A smooth, composite portrait of the messy yet indissoluble bond between sisters... sure to please fans of the royal-family genre. * Kirkus *Deliciously detailed, sometimes gossipy, often moving, this in-depth examination of royal siblings is sure to be in demand. * Booklist *A comprehensive and compelling account of two complicated, often lonely lives... Morton is an accomplished royal writer. * The Sunday Times *Andrew Morton is a consummate writer on celebrity. This book is royalty as celebrity...He has that great talent of readability, without which no popular writer can succeed. * Eastern Daily Press *

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Book SynopsisKings and Queens are monarchs and are still present in many countries around the world, thousands of years after the first rulers took over, and despite many of them holding no power. Most of the world has no monarchy, some of it a figurehead only, and even fewer an actual active head of state, but stories of Kings and Queens are often in the news as people are fascinated by rulers of their own and other countries.Amazing stories surround Kings and Queens throughout history, and The Little Guide to Kings and Queens is right royally resplendent with fascinating and fun facts, amusing and amazing anecdotes, witty and wise quotes, and plenty of lists. It adds up to a regal reserve of recreation for your mind.SAMPLE QUOTE: 'I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.' - Queen Elizabeth II (as Princess Elizabeth), 1947. SAMPLE FACT: The longest reigning monarch was King Louis XIV of France, who held the throne for more than 72 years.Table of ContentsRoyals: Quotes and facts from the earliest rulers (and their subjects). House of the King: There are many royal dynasties from all over the world. This chapter looks at a selection of them. King for a Day: A chapter of lists, including longest and shortest reigning kings and queens, nicest kings, meanest queens (and vice versa), list of 'Greats', earliest kings and queens, and many more. It's Good to be King: A look at the most interesting, powerful and dangerous Kings from throughout history. Caribbean Queen: An examination of some of the most prominent, powerful and famous Queens the world has ever known. Princes and Princesses: Not everybody gets the crown. This chapter looks at famous family members who never made it onto the throne.

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Book SynopsisWilliam, Duke of Cambridge

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Book SynopsisAs the longest serving royal consort in British history (1921-2021), this fully-illustrated guide celebrates Prince Philip’s remarkable contribution to the monarchy. A strong character full of vigour and verve, he found himself married to the most famous woman in the world, Queen Elizabeth II. They married for love and, although at times this man with strong opinions and enthusiasms of his own has found it hard to play a subordinate role, he has always been the Queen’s rock and support. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, grew famous for speaking his mind, but as his loyalty to his wife and country and his devotion to duty became apparent, he has become a national treasure and a figure of great respect to the British public. His marriage, fatherhood, early and distinguished career as a 1st Lieutenant in the Royal Navy are all detailed, including the Duke of Edinburgh Awards that have changed the lives of many young people. This commemoration of the Duke of Edinburgh, highlights how Prince Philip, as royal consort, has left an ongoing legacy not only to the sovereignty of Britain but also to his beloved royal family. Her Majesty has never hidden the extent of her reliance on Philip, the man she has called: ‘My strength and stay all these years.’

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