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Her Majesty: The Court of Queen Elizabeth II [Hardcover]

Robert Hardman
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

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Book Description

April 1, 2012 1605983616 978-1605983615 1

The hotly anticipated American edition of Robert Hardman's biography of Queen Elizabeth (formerly Our Queen in the U.K.)—An intimate portrait of England's soon-to-be longest reigning queen, in celebration of her diamond jubilee—and the first-ever book interview with her grandson, Prince William.

History has known no monarch like her. She has traveled farther than all her predecessors put together and lived longer than any of them. She has known more historic figures than anyone alive—from Churchill to Mandela, de Gaulle to Obama.

Now, the distinguished royal writer Robert Hardman has been granted special access to the world of Queen Elizabeth II to produce this enthralling new portrait of one of the most popular pubic figures on earth.

Not only has Elizabeth II reigned through Britain’s transformation from an imperial power to a multi-cultural nation, but she has also steered the monarchy through more reforms in the last twenty-five years than in the previous century.

Queen Elizabeth II sits at the head of an ancient institution that remains simultaneously popular, regal, inclusive, and relevant in a twenty-first-century world. It is down to neither luck nor longevity: it is down to the shrewd judgment of a thoroughly modern monarchy—with no small assistance from the longest-serving consort in history. Here is the inside story.

16 pages of color illustrations

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Her Majesty: The Court of Queen Elizabeth II + Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“At long last, we have the definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth’s world today. Robert Hardman knows the true story and tells it superbly.” (Andrew Roberts )

“An intimate portrait of the Royal commitments at home and abroad. Provides an exceptional insight into the work of the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.” (BBC Entertainment )

“Simply magnificent. This gripping, fascinating and authoritative tour de force—covering the Queen herself, the power and the celebrity of Britain’s royalty with equal panache—gleams with a unique combination of insider anecdotes, deep knowledge, personal experience and superb storytelling by Britain’s outstanding royal observer.” (Simon Sebag Montefiore )

About the Author

Robert Hardman has covered aspects of royal life for more than twenty years and is the writer of both the film and the book Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work. He writes for the Daily Mail in London.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Pegasus; 1 edition (April 1, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1605983616
  • ISBN-13: 978-1605983615
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #626,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A complex and fascinating look inside the Court April 26, 2012
By Gallia
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This informative book provides much detail about how the court of Eliabeth II really functions. As such, it is a fascinating account of the responsibilities of many different people who work for the Court, from the august Private Secretary and Master of the Household to a groundskeeper, all of whom consider the Queen as the boss. Details are also given about the intricacies of state dinners, the garden parties, overseas trips, and even annual events such as the Maundy Thursday service. Could one imagine that the monarchy has over 1000 employees, including roughly 350 who work for the Royal Collection alone. Readers may be intrigued at the complexity of Court operations and how much is involved in sustaining the Monarchy. This is not a biography of the Queen by any means, neither is it a hagiography as one reviewer wrote, but a comprehensive explanation of just how the monarchy functions, especially the Queen's role in government. The explanation of her relationships with her Prime Ministers over the years and the work of the Court in conjunction with Ministries of government was something of a surprise. She does far more than meet with the Prime Minister once a week and sign all those documents sent to her in the famous Red Boxes. And all this without a formal Constitution delineating powers and functions. Of course, the Queen has no real power other than those she wields by tradition and the respect and admiration that she has garnered in sixty years of impeccable service. It does make one think that there are certain advantages in having a Head of State who is distinctly apart from the Head of Government. This was a thoroughly enjoyable book and left me with even more admiration for this 86 year old woman who has certainly had her ups and downs but who has persevered in carrying out what she considers her God-given duties for sixty years.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An informative and entertaining book April 4, 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
I have used Robert Hardman's book extensively for my own research on the Queen. This is the only book of its kind that gives a true insider's account of life behind the palace gates. It is a terrific read and incredibly entertaining, too. I would recommend Her Majesty to anyone interested in learning how the monarchy actually works.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A Positive Look At Her Majesty May 23, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Robert Hardman has covered the Royal Family for many years in print and in several television documentaries. Often such close long term contact with someone leads to a certain amount of cynicism about them, but in Hardman's case this has not occurred. Her Majesty: Queen Elizabeth II and Her Court, is an unabashedly favorable examination of the monarch, her family, and her courtiers and officials. Adding new interest and authority to Hardman's book are many attributed quotes and observations, not only from those who work with the Royal Family but also from some members of the Family itself, including Princes Philip, Charles, Andrew, and (most interestingly because they are his first public statements on the issue) William.

There is much fascnating information in this book, not only about the Queen herself, but also about the day to day business of being a constitutional monarch with all the pomp, circumstance, and a few banalities that go along with it. I enjoyed reading about all the details that go into a State Visit, or what goes on at a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. It was also interesting to learn more about the Queen's relationships with her various Prime Ministers, including some fascinating reminiscences from Tony Blair, John Major, and David Cameron. This is not really a chronological biography of the Queen, so there isn't much about her childhood or early adult years. But what I found really intriguing about this book was the amount of information about how the Queen in her own quiet way has presided over a thorough revamping of the monarchy over the years, making it more accessible and less remote without letting in "too much daylight upon the magic." In some cases this was accomplished by officials like the former Lord Chamberlain the Earl of Airlie, but in many cases the impulse for change came from the Queen herself, and as she celebrates her Diamond Jubilee she can definitely feel proud of her accomplishment in preserving an institution that many felt could never survive.

If you're looking for long discussions of the reasons why some of the Royal Family's marriages have failed or a recapitulation of tawdry gossip then this book will disappoint you. But if you want to know more about some of the ways the small quiet woman we've all seen smiling and waving for 60 years now has managed a difficult task with grace and dignity, with able assistance from a long line of hard working men and women, then Her Majesty makes the perfect Diamond Jubilee reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!
Interesting and easy read if you enjoy reading about the Queen! Great pictures too! I'm a monarchist so I loved this book.
Published 20 days ago by V.Ama
5.0 out of 5 stars Humanizing Her Royal Majesty
This book about the Queen is a very fast read. Shows a whole side of the royal family that makes them seem more reachable but still one of the greatest rulers of England. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Debra Roberts
4.0 out of 5 stars Royals
I like anything about British Royalty. This is quite an accounting of Her Majesty's 60 years as Britain's monarch. Good read.
Published 3 months ago by Mic
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting book.
This interesting book has lots of behind-the-scenes info and inside insights. I enjoyed reading it, tho' I thought it was a little too long. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jean S. Kirkpatrick
4.0 out of 5 stars If you like royalty
I bought this as a gift for my sister. She originally picked it out at the library but couldn't finish it in time so she wanted it for Christmas. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ted's Mom
5.0 out of 5 stars Who Were the Men in Grey Suits?
Diana famously complained about the "Men in Grey Suits," the courtiers who surround Queen Elizabeth II and function collectively as the "Firm. Read more
Published 8 months ago by Catherine S. Bailey
3.0 out of 5 stars interesting but
The book is not as "insider" informed as the hype states. It is a compilation of mostly publicly available information.
Published 8 months ago by Mary L. McLaughlin
4.0 out of 5 stars The epitome of a true lady
In this biography, Queen Elizabeth emerges as a "real" woman and a great lady. Never realized just how influential she is because most of her work is done behind the scenes. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Jacqueline Sanford
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Book in Years
I've been a big fan of the Queen since 1952, and I'm an avid reader as well, so I keep up with new books about royalty. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Jean Reynolds
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, insightful, informative read
I have read numerous books about the Queen and her life, but this is by far one of the best. If you're looking for sensationalist tripe, look elsewhere. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Hobbit
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