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<p><b>Introduction 1</b></p> <p>About This Book 1</p> <p>Foolish Assumptions 3</p> <p>Icons Used in This Book 3</p> <p>Beyond the Book 4</p> <p>Where to Go from Here 4</p> <p><b>Part 1: the Road to the Throne 5</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 1: Queen Elizabeth II: A Global Icon 7</b></p> <p>Carrying the Weight of History 9</p> <p>Heading up a monarchy 1,500 years in the making 9</p> <p>Ruling the jig-saw kingdom 11</p> <p>Being one of the precious few queens 13</p> <p>Following in the Footsteps of Grandpa and Daddy 16</p> <p>George V 17</p> <p>George VI 17</p> <p>Wearing Many Different Hats 18</p> <p>Ruling in theory 18</p> <p>Running the family firm 19</p> <p>And Being a Mum, Too 20</p> <p>The Secrets of Elizabeth’s Success 21</p> <p>She’s been queen for a long time 21</p> <p>Her style has evolved and adapted 21</p> <p>She uses more carrot than stick 22</p> <p>She’s nothing if not discreet 23</p> <p><b>Chapter 2: Triumph of Compromise: Constitutional Monarchy 25</b></p> <p>From Tribal Leader to King of England 27</p> <p>Settling down with the Anglo-Saxons 27</p> <p>Uniting through adversity 29</p> <p>Ruling by Divine Right? 32</p> <p>Losing my religion: Henry VIII’s church reforms 33</p> <p>Entering the first Elizabethan Age 35</p> <p>Finding Mary (Queen of Scots) 35</p> <p>Becoming a republic 36</p> <p>Establishing a Constitutional Monarchy 37</p> <p>Choosing absolutism or republicanism? 38</p> <p>Bringing about revolution 38</p> <p>Appointing a newcomer 40</p> <p>Learning with George: what monarchs shouldn’t do 41</p> <p>American Republic, French Republic – Britain next? 42</p> <p><b>Chapter 3: Victoria: The Queen Who Defined an Era 43</b></p> <p>The Monarchs Who Came Before Victoria 44</p> <p>The Young Queen 45</p> <p>Along Comes Albert 46</p> <p>How Albert helped the British monarchy 47</p> <p>The royal network 48</p> <p>From Monarch to Empress 49</p> <p>Victoria Gives Way to Parliament 50</p> <p>Britain’s New Empire 51</p> <p>Death, despair, and republicanism 52</p> <p>Celebrating Victoria’s Jubilees 53</p> <p>Golden Jubilee, 1887 53</p> <p>Diamond Jubilee, 1897 54</p> <p>After Victoria 54</p> <p>Edward VII: A playboy king 55</p> <p>George V: A dull king for a difficult time 55</p> <p><b>Chapter 4: The Birth of a Princess 57</b></p> <p>Bertie: The Stammering Second Son 58</p> <p>Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon: A Suitable Match 58</p> <p>Princess Lilibet is Born 60</p> <p>Baby Betty steals the limelight 62</p> <p>Grandma knows best 62</p> <p>A sister is born 63</p> <p>Educating a princess 64</p> <p><b>Chapter 5: Edward VIII: The King Who Abdicated 65</b></p> <p>Edward Prince of Wales 66</p> <p>A Populist Prince 67</p> <p>Edward’s other education 67</p> <p>A trial run 68</p> <p>Enter Wallis Simpson 68</p> <p>Accession and Abdication 69</p> <p>Act I: October 1936 71</p> <p>Act II: November 1936 72</p> <p>Act III: December 1936 73</p> <p><b>Chapter 6: Preparing for the Throne 75</b></p> <p>Bertie Steps up to the Plate 75</p> <p>Peeking out from behind the glass curtain 77</p> <p>Building up to war 78</p> <p>Choosing a premier 80</p> <p>The Royals at War 82</p> <p>Royalty on rations 83</p> <p>Working towards victory 84</p> <p>Sharing hardship 84</p> <p>The princesses at war 85</p> <p>Countdown to the Crown 87</p> <p>Reaching out to the Commonwealth 88</p> <p>Courting Philip of Greece 89</p> <p>Living the family life 90</p> <p><b>Part 2: the Young Queen 93</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 7: Coronation: ‘I Present Unto You Queen Elizabeth’ 95</b></p> <p>An Occasion of Pomp and Ceremony 96</p> <p>Glamour in Westminster Abbey 96</p> <p>The glory of the Crown Jewels 99</p> <p>Mixing family and politicians on the guest list 99</p> <p>A Day to Remember 100</p> <p><b>Chapter 8: The Queen Goes to Work 101</b></p> <p>Working Daily as a Dutiful and Diligent Monarch 102</p> <p>Dressing the part 103</p> <p>Heading to work 104</p> <p>Ploughing through the paperwork 105</p> <p>Relaxing with some downtime 106</p> <p>Acting as a Political Figure 107</p> <p>Understanding the relationship between the Crown and Parliament 107</p> <p>Meeting with the prime minister 108</p> <p>Hosting heads of state 109</p> <p>Carrying On with a Continuous Round of Visits and Ceremonial Duties 110</p> <p>Touring her realm: visiting, opening, and launching 111</p> <p>Running ‘The Firm’: the Windsor family business 111</p> <p><b>Chapter 9: Back-up: The Royal Household 113</b></p> <p>At Home With the Windsors 114</p> <p>Crown properties 114</p> <p>The Duchy of Cornwall 115</p> <p>Private Properties 116</p> <p>Are You Being Served? Meeting the Royal Household 116</p> <p>The five key departments of the household 117</p> <p>The power behind the throne: the Private Secretary’s Office 119</p> <p>Working for the Royal Family 120</p> <p><b>Chapter 10: The Globe-trotting Monarch 121</b></p> <p>Taking Those All-important First Steps 122</p> <p>Travelling Around the World 42 Times (Without a Passport) 124</p> <p>Touring the Commonwealth of Nations 125</p> <p>Understanding the Commonwealth’s role 126</p> <p>Drawing the crowds and spreading joy 127</p> <p>Bowling them over: Elizabeth and the Aussies 127</p> <p>The Saviour of the Commonwealth? 128</p> <p>Acting As a Royal Ambassador 128</p> <p>Forging special relationships: Elizabeth and America’s presidents 130</p> <p>Boosting trade 131</p> <p>Passing the baton to other royals 132</p> <p>Using Planes, Trains and Automobiles 132</p> <p>Royal coaches 132</p> <p>Royal cars 133</p> <p>The royal train 134</p> <p>The royal yacht 134</p> <p>Royal flight 135</p> <p><b>Chapter 11: The Queen Mother 137</b></p> <p>Creating a New Role for the Former Empress 137</p> <p>Sharing the Queen’s Duties 139</p> <p>Flying the royal flag 139</p> <p>Remaining the Queen’s mother (not just the Queen Mother) 140</p> <p>Flipping the Coin: The Other Side of the Queen Mother 141</p> <p>Sharing Royal Duties Around the Family 142</p> <p>Out and about with Charles and Anne 142</p> <p>Remaining a working family 143</p> <p><b>Part 3: the Need to Adapt 145</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 12: Times They Are a-Changing 147</b></p> <p>Witnessing Britain’s Waning Influence in the World 147</p> <p>No longer ruling an empire 148</p> <p>No longer ruling the waves 149</p> <p>No longer ruling the Middle East 149</p> <p>No longer ruling Africa 150</p> <p>Joining the European Economic Community 151</p> <p>Surviving Gossip, Constitutional Complications, and Political Scandal 153</p> <p>Philip’s solo world tour 153</p> <p>The princess and the politician 155</p> <p>Political shenanigans 156</p> <p>Saying farewell to Winston 158</p> <p>Ruling Through the Swinging Sixties 159</p> <p>Satire and the establishment 159</p> <p>Elvis and four boys from Liverpool 160</p> <p>Changing social attitudes 162</p> <p>Being Stuck in a Time Warp? 162</p> <p>Malcolm Muggeridge 162</p> <p>John Grigg 163</p> <p>John Osbourne 163</p> <p>Reactions from the monarchists 163</p> <p><b>Chapter 13: Margaret: Elizabeth’s Troubled Sister 165</b></p> <p>Looking at the Early Life of the Lively One 166</p> <p>Becoming the All-singing, All-dancing Playgirl 166</p> <p>Falling in Love 168</p> <p>Introducing Group Captain Peter Townsend 168</p> <p>Calling it off 170</p> <p>And (Eventually) Getting Married 171</p> <p>Being the odd one out 172</p> <p>Finally a marriage 173</p> <p>Heading Downhill: Sex, Drink, and Cigarettes 174</p> <p>Divorce and depression 174</p> <p>(Just about) Remaining a dutiful royal 175</p> <p>Margaret’s final years 176</p> <p><b>Chapter 14: The Royal Response to Criticism 177</b></p> <p>The Raising of Charles and Anne 178</p> <p>Prince Charles at school and beyond 178</p> <p>Princess Anne grabs the headlines 179</p> <p>Heading Towards the 1960s 181</p> <p>Welcoming Two New Boys to the Family 182</p> <p>Prince Andrew 182</p> <p>Prince Edward 183</p> <p>Living With Unsavory Rumours 184</p> <p>Living with the Labour Party 185</p> <p>Opening Up to the World (A Little) 186</p> <p>The Royal Family documentary 187</p> <p>The Investiture of Charles 187</p> <p>The continued need for a little mystery 188</p> <p><b>Chapter 15: Celebrating 25 Years: The Silver Jubilee 189</b></p> <p>Britain’s Difficult Decade: The 1970s 189</p> <p>Dealing with trouble and strife 192</p> <p>Finding reasons to be cheerful 193</p> <p>Keeping Calm and Carrying On 194</p> <p>Planning Elizabeth’s Jubilee 196</p> <p>Entering Jubilee Year 197</p> <p>Celebrating in June 1977 199</p> <p><b>Part 4: Stormy Waters 201</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 16: The Tragedy of Charles and Diana 203</b></p> <p>Stepping Out With Charles 204</p> <p>Charles’s first girlfriends 204</p> <p>Charles’s number one: Camilla Shand 206</p> <p>Introducing Lady Diana 207</p> <p>The early life of Lady Diana 207</p> <p>Charles and Diana get engaged 209</p> <p>The Marriage of Charles and Diana 210</p> <p>Building up to the big day 210</p> <p>Worrying moments of the wedding 211</p> <p>Going Steady: The First Few Years of Marriage 212</p> <p>Heading off on honeymoon 212</p> <p>Protecting Diana from the press 213</p> <p>The birth of Prince William 213</p> <p>The Birth of Prince Harry 214</p> <p>Fulfilling Royal Duties Together 215</p> <p>Troubling times beneath the surface 215</p> <p>Diana’s affairs 217</p> <p>The whispers get louder 218</p> <p>Heading Towards the End of The Marriage 218</p> <p>Remembering Diana’s Final Year 220</p> <p><b>Chapter 17: The Queen’s Wealth and the Cost of the Monarchy 221</b></p> <p>Understanding Royal Finances Over the Centuries 222</p> <p>Introducing the Civil List 222</p> <p>Mixing family and state funding 224</p> <p>Reforming the System 225</p> <p>Introducing the Sovereign Grant 226</p> <p>The growing grant 227</p> <p>Giving the family some extras 227</p> <p>Totalling Up the Windsors’ Wealth 228</p> <p>Paying tax (on a voluntary basis) 228</p> <p>Bowing to pressure 229</p> <p>Estimating Royal Value For Money 230</p> <p><b>Chapter 18: One Country, Two Women: The Age of Margaret Thatcher 233</b></p> <p>Comparing Elizabeth and Margaret 234</p> <p>The pragmatic Queen and her principled prime minister 234</p> <p>The mother and the schoolmarm working together for a while 235</p> <p>Navigating Difficulties and Dangers 236</p> <p>The assassination of Louis Mountbatten 237</p> <p>Rhodesia becomes Zimbabwe 238</p> <p>South African apartheid 240</p> <p>The invasion of Grenada 241</p> <p>Prince Andrew goes to war: The Falklands 242</p> <p>Coalminers divide the nation and its rulers 243</p> <p>More Bombings, a Wedding and a 60th Birthday 244</p> <p><b>Chapter 19: Defender of the Faith 247</b></p> <p>Understanding the Long Relationship Between Crown and Church 248</p> <p>Stirring things up: The radical Tudors 248</p> <p>Calming things down: The Anglican compromise 249</p> <p>Figuring out Elizabeth’s Faith 251</p> <p>Delivering the Christmas message 252</p> <p>Talking religion 253</p> <p>Checking out Royal Chapels and Churches 253</p> <p>Balmoral 254</p> <p>Buckingham Palace 254</p> <p>Sandringham 254</p> <p>Windsor Castle 255</p> <p><b>Chapter 20: Annus Horribilis 257</b></p> <p>Staying Married is Hard to Do 258</p> <p>What is a royal marriage? 258</p> <p>The Windsor’s complicated history of marriage 259</p> <p>Following the Family’s Progress 261</p> <p>Charles: The tortured one 262</p> <p>Anne: The gamechanger 262</p> <p>Andrew: ‘Randy Andy’ 263</p> <p>Edward: The lost boy 265</p> <p>Watching a Royal Game Show 265</p> <p>Smouldering Tension: Fire in Windsor Castle 267</p> <p><b>Part 5: Steadying the Ship. 269</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 21: ‘Long to Reign Over Us’: No Sign of Flagging 271</b></p> <p>Negotiating the 1990s 272</p> <p>Dwindling public deference 273</p> <p>Surviving the songs and satire 274</p> <p>The Death of Diana 275</p> <p>Sunday, 31 August 275</p> <p>Monday 1 September 276</p> <p>Tuesday 2 September 276</p> <p>Wednesday 3 September 276</p> <p>Thursday 4 September 277</p> <p>Friday 5 September 277</p> <p>Saturday 6 September 278</p> <p>The aftermath of Diana’s death 279</p> <p>Ancient Monarchy meets New Labour 279</p> <p>Celebrations and Bereavements 281</p> <p>Elizabeth and Philip’s Golden Wedding 281</p> <p>The death and funeral of Princess Margaret 282</p> <p>The passing of the Queen Mother 282</p> <p>A Queen’s Work is Never Done 283</p> <p>Reacting to 9/11 283</p> <p>Heading over to Eire 284</p> <p>Going online 285</p> <p><b>Chapter 22: The Queen’s Animal Friends 287</b></p> <p>Horsing Around: The Princess and Her Ponies 288</p> <p>Following royal equine tradition 288</p> <p>Learning to ride 289</p> <p>Being in the saddle 289</p> <p>Breeding Equine Success 290</p> <p>Backing the winners 292</p> <p>Attending Royal Ascot 292</p> <p>Her Majesty’s notable racehorse winners 294</p> <p>Keeping Pets and Receiving Presents 294</p> <p>The corgis 294</p> <p>The dorgis 295</p> <p>Exotic animals as gifts 295</p> <p>Supporting Bloodsports 296</p> <p><b>Chapter 23: The Golden and Diamond Jubilees 297</b></p> <p>Celebrating 50 Years on the Throne: The Golden Jubilee 297</p> <p>Making careful preparations 298</p> <p>Dining with five prime ministers 299</p> <p>Proving popular at party time 299</p> <p>Lighting up the Empire State Building 300</p> <p>Jaunting 40,000-miles around the world 300</p> <p>Following In the Footsteps of Victoria: The Diamond Jubilee 300</p> <p>Becoming re-dedicated to a life of service 301</p> <p>Falling (a little) flat 301</p> <p>Planning for the Platinum Jubilee 302</p> <p>Holding unprecedented popularity 303</p> <p>Unique celebrations for a unique queen 303</p> <p><b>Chapter 24: Succession Secured 305</b></p> <p>Entering a Brave New World 305</p> <p>Becoming a Happier Family 307</p> <p>Charles 307</p> <p>Anne 308</p> <p>Edward 308</p> <p>Opening the London Olympics 309</p> <p>Making Ripples on the Royal Pond 309</p> <p>Andrew’s murky goings-on 310</p> <p>Weathering recession and austerity 311</p> <p>Going Green: Environmental Efforts 312</p> <p>Exploring the Difficult Lives of William and Harry 313</p> <p>The princes at their mother’s funeral 314</p> <p>The steady one: William’s education and service 315</p> <p>The wild one: Harry, soldier and playboy 316</p> <p>Introducing Catherine Middleton 316</p> <p>A new marriage for a new age 317</p> <p>Catherine’s non-royal upbringing 318</p> <p>Changing the Rules of Succession 319</p> <p>Updating the Monarchy In The New Century 319</p> <p>Relaxing into the role 320</p> <p>Welcoming George, Charlotte, and Louis to the family 320</p> <p><b>Chapter 25: Home Alone 321</b></p> <p>Living Without Philip 322</p> <p>The Land Rover funeral 322</p> <p>Tributes and complaints 323</p> <p>And Elizabeth? 323</p> <p>Facing Britain’s Current Big Issues 324</p> <p>Austerity 325</p> <p>Scottish independence 325</p> <p>Brexit 326</p> <p>BLM and culture wars 328</p> <p>Covid-19 329</p> <p>Going It Alone: Harry and Meghan 330</p> <p>Marrying a TV star 330</p> <p>Heading into American exile 332</p> <p>Preparing For The Crown: King Charles III 332</p> <p>What Will History Make of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II? 334</p> <p>Her reign was not without difficulties 334</p> <p>She did her duty 335</p> <p><b>Part 6: the Part of Tens 337</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 26: Ten Prime Ministers Elizabeth has Worked With 339</b></p> <p>Winston Churchill (1952–1955) 340</p> <p>Harold Macmillan (1957–1963) 340</p> <p>Harold Wilson (1964–1970, 1974–1976) 341</p> <p>James Callaghan (1976–1979) 342</p> <p>Margaret Thatcher (1979–1990) 342</p> <p>John Major (1990–1997) 343</p> <p>Tony Blair (1997–2007) 344</p> <p>Gordon Brown (2007–2010) 345</p> <p>David Cameron (2010–2016) 345</p> <p>Boris Johnson (2019 to the time of writing) 345</p> <p><b>Chapter 27: Ten Tricky Moments for Elizabeth 347</b></p> <p>Rumours of Prince Philip’s Infidelity (1948 onwards) 347</p> <p>The Affair Between Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend (1952–1955) 348</p> <p>Lord Altrincham Criticizes the ‘Priggish School Girl’ (1957) 350</p> <p>The Unwise Appointment of Lord Home as Prime Minister (1963) 351</p> <p>Dismissal Crisis: The Governor-General Sacks Australia’s Prime Minister (1975) 352</p> <p>Michael Fagan Sneaks Into the Queen’s Bedroom (1982) 353</p> <p>A New Biography Reveals Criticism of Prince Charles’s Upbringing (1994) 353</p> <p>The Palace is Slow to Capture the Public Mood on Princess Diana’s death (1997) 354</p> <p>Prince Charles Says he is ‘Impatient’ to Succeed to the Throne (2012) 355</p> <p>President Trump Pats the Queen on the Back (2019) 355</p> <p><b>Chapter 28: Ten Royal Portrayals 357</b></p> <p>Jeanette Charles in Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) 357</p> <p>Helen Mirren in The Queen (2006) 358</p> <p>Barbara Flynn in The Queen docu-drama (2009) 359</p> <p>Freya Wilson in The King’s Speech (2010) 360</p> <p>Emma Thompson in Walking the Dogs (2012) 360</p> <p>Sarah Gadon in A Royal Night Out (2015) 361</p> <p>Penelope Wilton in The BFG (2016) 361</p> <p>Claire Foy in The Crown (2016–2017) 362</p> <p>Olivia Coleman in The Crown (2019–2020) 363</p> <p>Imelda Staunton in The Crown (2022) 364</p> <p><b>Chapter 29: Ten Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren 365</b></p> <p>Prince William, Duke of Cambridge 366</p> <p>Prince George of Cambridge 367</p> <p>Princess Charlotte 368</p> <p>Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex 368</p> <p>Princess Beatrice 370</p> <p>Princess Eugenie of York 370</p> <p>James Mountbatten-Windsor, Viscount Severn 371</p> <p>Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor 371</p> <p>Peter Phillips 372</p> <p>Zara Tindall 372</p> <p>Index 373</p>

<p><b>Stewart Ross</b> is the author of over 250 published titles, including prize winning books for children, young adults and adults. He has written on history and sport – including titles on monarchs and the Royal Family.</p>

<p><b>All hail the longstanding Queen of England</b></p> <p>The year 2022 marks 70 years at the helm of the British monarchy for Elizabeth II – wow! <i>Queen Elizabeth II For Dummies</i> celebrates her Platinum Jubilee with a journey through the life and reign of this remarkable woman. You’ll enjoy fun stories from her childhood, untangle the facts about the British monarchy, and discover little-known secrets every Anglophile ought to know. Plus, you’ll be able to tell fact from fiction when you watch your favorite historical movies and shows. Dummies brings the life of the Queen . . . to life! <p><b>Inside…</b> <ul><b><li> All about the Royal Family</li> <li>Constitutional monarchy</li> <li>Elizabeth’s birth and early life</li> <li>Her mum – the Queen Mother</li> <li>The Margaret Thatcher years</li> <li>Elizabeth II’s grandchildren</li> <li>Succession to the throne</li> <li> The death of Prince Philip</li></b></ul>

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