ROYAL BIOGRAPHIES VOLUME 9: William and Kate - 2 Books in 1 Featuring... *William*Kate 2 Great Books in 1! William Even before Prince William was born, the eyes of the world were already trained firmly in his direction. His mother, Diana, was a shy, stunning beauty who had captured the heart of the heir to the British throne. The fresh-faced aristocrat worked as a kindergarten assistant and was only 19 years old when they fell in love - or, in Prince Charles' infamous words after their engagement was announced, "Whatever 'in love' means." Her romance with Charles would propel her into an entirely different life from the quieter one she knew as Lady Diana Spencer. The shy English rose was suddenly cast in a role few people in the world are really equipped for - that of leading lady in a fairy tale everyone desperately wanted to end in happily ever after. Kate In the lead up to the 20th anniversary of his mother's death, Prince Harry - brother in law to Kate Middleton - made some interesting observations about the monarchy. He firstly said that the younger generation of royals feel that it is their role to modernize the monarchy. In so doing, these royals believe, they will maintain its popularity and sustain its role for doing good. They consider that, by bringing the House of Windsor into line with 21st century thinking, attitudes and lifestyles, they will enhance their own standing. But not for selfish purposes, or for self-aggrandizement. No, for far more altruistic reasons. They feel that from a position of trust and popularity they can do more to support charities, help the poor and suffering and improve the world. These are noble aims, and are to be applauded. But Harry said another thing in the interview. In extending the idea of duty and responsibility to Great Britain, to the Commonwealth and, where possible, the world he recognized that one day one of the young royals would be monarch themselves. It was just that, none of them wanted to do it. They knew that they would have to, but just as hoovering the sitting room or putting out the bins has to be done but is not much fun, it is a necessary but unappealing job. We can wonder whether this thought was anywhere in the mind of Kate Middleton, Berkshire lass, when she agreed to marry Prince William? And one day become his queen. This is the true story of Kate Middleton, a Berkshire commoner who will one day ascend to the throne.

The definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by a renowned royal biographer. As seen on Good Morning America, CNN, and the BBC 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. Even with her recent passing at age ninety-six, she remains a twenty-first 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 have to be seen to be believed." Robert Hardman, one of Britain’s most acclaimed royal biographers, now wraps up the full story of one of the undisputed greats in a thousand years of monarchy. Hardman distills Elizabeth's complex life into 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 brings fresh insights and scholarship to the modern royal story. There will be no more thorough, more readable, more original book on Elizabeth II as we celebrate a life and reign that, surely, will never be equaled.

Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II has reigned for 64 years, longer than any British monarch in history. During that time the Queen has endured the ups and downs that long life will bring. She was a beacon of hope during and after the Second World War in difficult times when the world faced a precarious future, and she has served as a role model for generations of men and women who continue to be in awe of her commitment to service, sacrifice, and the Commonwealth of nations over which she rules. The abdication of her uncle, Edward VIII, in 1936 turned her family’s world upside-down. When her father was crowned King George VI, Elizabeth was thrust into the eye of the storm as a future queen. A shy and reserved child, she grew into a wise and insightful monarch who has dealt ably with nine British Prime Ministers during her long reign, from Winston Churchill to Theresa May. It was, of course, not always straightforward and the Queen has found herself in hot water several times, most notably during the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales. When Diana was tragically killed in a car crash the standing of the Royal Family was probably at its lowest ebb. It is unlikely that we will ever see a monarch reign so long or so effectively again, holding together a disparate group of nations, each with its own aspirations, customs and traditions. Catherine Ryan has written an intriguing biography of one of the most famous women of modern times, who at 91 years old still seems fit and healthy and looks very unlikely to hand over the reins to her successors any time soon.

ROYAL BIOGRAPHIES VOLUME 6: The Queen and Prince Philip - 2 Books in 1 Featuring... *The Queen*Prince Philip 2 Great Books in 1! The Queen At some point, when they reach their mid-sixties, most people will accept the ravages of later middle age and gracefully, often gratefully, ease themselves into retirement. Not so the Queen. At 91 years, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II continues to work hard at her numerous duties for the nation and Commonwealth. Having held the throne for 65 years, she continues to demonstrate her commitment to fulfilling her various roles - Head of State, figurehead of many charities, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, upholder of the faith for the Church of Scotland. She may now undertake far fewer trips abroad, but her activities within the United Kingdom remain considerable.During her reign, there have been highs and lows, but through the divorces, disasters and, sadly, deaths, as well as the joys and jubilees, the Queen has stood firm. With the support of her husband, Prince Phillip, children Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren she has remained an overwhelmingly popular monarch. How has she achieved this? What enabled her to overcome the tribulations of the '80s and '90s? And why does she remain loved and respected in the hearts of so many? Prince Philip Fill in the blanks: 'Behind every great man is __________.' Most people familiar with the English language would be able to slip in some semblance of the rest: A Great Woman. These three words complete the saying 'Behind every great man is a great woman, ' the same way a woman usually completes the picture of how a man of extraordinary achievement can reach such great heights. Usually, this influential figure is that of a mother or wife, and our history is filled to the brim with examples Civil Rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had his wife, Coretta; and Anti-apartheid revolutionary Nelson Mandela had his Winnie. In American politics, the FLOTUS was the POTUS' tailwind, notably in the case of unforgettable couples like the Roosevelts, the Kennedys, the Clintons, the Bushes and the Obamas. In the arts, legendary filmmaker Hitchcock had indispensable Alma Reville. In sports, Jackie Robinson gave credit to his wife Rachel, while NBA superstar Kevin Durant famously called his mother "You the real MVP." Across all fields and over a large stretch of time, women have been powering the achievements of their husbands, sons and other affiliations. Indeed, behind every great man is a great woman. But what of the converse - What or who is behind a great woman?

'A pleasure to read... a timely reminder of the need for service' -- The Daily Telegraph 'The voices and reminiscence of family and friends merge seamlessly, giving the impression of gathering round the fire on a winter evening' -- The Oldie 'A remarkable memoir penned by the Duke of Kent, whose entire life has been dedicated to Queen and country... an insider's account of what it is like to be a working royal.' -- Daily Mail HRH The Duke of Kent has been at the heart of the British Royal Family throughout his life. As a working member of the Royal Family, he supported his cousin The Queen, representing her at home and abroad, until her death in 2022. His royal duties began when, in 1952, at the age of sixteen, he walked in the procession behind King George VI's coffin, later paying homage to The Queen at her Coronation in 1953. Since then he has witnessed and participated in key Royal occasions. A Royal Life is a unique account based on a series of conversations between the Duke and acclaimed Royal historian Hugo Vickers. It covers the Duke's upbringing, his army life, his royal tours and events and associations with organisations. Here too are recollections of family members including his mother, Princess Marina, his grandmother, Queen Mary, his cousin, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and his uncle, King George VI. Other members of the Royal Family contribute their memories, including his wife, the Duchess of Kent, the Duke's siblings, Princess Alexandra and Prince Michael of Kent, his son, the Earl of St Andrews, his daughter, Lady Helen Taylor as well as his cousins, Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia, Archduchess Helen of Austria and her brother, Hans Veit Toerring. Containing never before seen photographs from the Duke's private collection and a new chapter on the Platinum Jubilee and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, A Royal Life is an unprecedented and remarkable insight into Royal history.

Covers more than 1000 rulers and two millennia of history

A Biography of Elizabeth II She is the fifth longest reigning monarch in British history, and one of the most famous people in the world. Yet, despite a life lived at the center of the international stage, Elizabeth II remains an enigma. What kind of person is she? What does she stand for? How has she adapted to her role—if at all? How does she cope with problems that threaten the survival of the monarchy itself? Now, in the most authoritative and probing biography of Queen Elizabeth to date, one of Britain's most distinguished biographers and political historians reveals the sometimes surprising answers. In The Queen, Ben Pimlott creates a richly detailed, compelling portrayal of Elizabeth II—the individual, the institution, and the icon. Written with the cooperation of Buckingham Palace, this distinguished biography is enriched by unprecedented access to government and palace archives, as well as interviews with dozens of persons close to the queen, including Princess Margaret; the archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Runcie; Lord Charteris, the queen's longtime private secretary; and Hardy Amies, the royal dressmaker, and by access to the private diaries of Jock Colville, who served as private secretary to both the queen and Winston Churchill. The result is a penetrating examination that goes far beyond the typical royal biography. With the same sharp historical focus he brought to his acclaimed portrait of Harold Wilson, Pimlott reveals how Elizabeth's image has been manufactured and manipulated from her earliest childhood to suit the need of government. He explores the social, political, and psychological influences that shaped the queen's personality and the ideas she represents. Pimlott brings an illuminating perspective to the queen's relationship with her prime ministers, and he offers an intriguing view of the phenomenon of the monarchy itself—and of its future. Beginning in 1926, the year of Elizabeth's birth—and Britain's infamous General Strike—and continuing all the way into the era of Di and Fergie, this masterfully written account of the very public life of a very private woman is a fascinating, at times provocative, and vastly entertaining book. It is candid, respectful, intelligent, and certain to win admiration for both the author and his royal subject. "There will not be a better royal biography for many years."— The Daily Telegraph (London). "[Pimlott] has succeeded triumphantly. . . . He has written a book that can be enjoyed and admired by people who would never have imagined reading any previous royal biography." —The Independent (London). "An important and stimulating book." —Antonia Fraser author of Mary, Queen of Scots in The Guardian (London).