THE SUNDAY TIMES NO. 1 BESTSELLER 'Explosive' The Sun 'Accounts from insiders who have never spoken before' The Times 'Bombshell' The Mirror The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous year, the dream became a nightmare. In the aftermath of the infamous Megxit split and the Oprah Winfrey interview, the Royal Family's fate seems persistently threatened. The public remains puzzled. Meghan's success has alternatively won praise, bewildered and outraged. Confused by the Sussexes' slick publicity, few understand the real Meghan Markle. What lies ahead for Meghan? And what has happened to the family she married into? Can the Windsors restore their reputation? With extensive research, expert sourcing and interviews from insiders who have never spoken before, Tom Bower, Britain's leading investigative biographer, unpicks the tangled web of courtroom drama, courtier politics and thwarted childhood dreams to uncover an astonishing story of love, betrayal, secrets and revenge.

Originally published in 1868, this book follows the life of Prince Henry, including chapters on the Siege of Tangier, the capture of Ceuta and the death of Prince Henry.

The Archbishop of Canterbury called him 'bloody rude', courtiers feared he was 'a foreign interloper out for the goodies', daughter-in-law Sarah Ferguson found him 'very frightening' and the Queen Mother labelled him 'the Hun'. Journalists have continually portrayed him as a gaffe-prone serial philanderer, with European outlets going way off-piste and claiming he has fathered 24 illegitimate children. Prince Philip says 'the impression the public has got is unfair', though there is no self-serving autobiography and his interviews with broadcasters or writers are done grudgingly. The Duke sets out to explore the man behind the various myths, drawing on interviews with relations, friends and courtiers and the Duke's own words. It brings to life some rare aspects of his character, from a love of poetry and religion to his fondness for Duke Ellington and his fascination with UFOs. It also explains why for over seven decades he has been the Queen's 'strength and stay' - and why he is regarded by many as a national treasure.

A chance meeting in 1936 gave Lisa and Jimmy Sheridan the opportunity of a lifetime. Keen amateur photographers, their company Studio Lisa was engaged by the then Duke and Duchess of York to take casual photographs of their family, including the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, at their homes Royal Lodge and at 145 Piccadilly, London. At a time of traditional formality, when it was unheard of for mere unknowns to be given such an opportunity, the hiring of Studio Lisa proved to be a revolutionary and popular move on the part of the royals as it humanised them in the eyes of their subjects. They soon struck up an unlikely friendship with Lisa and Jimmy - a friendship that would span over 30 years and yield 13 separate photographic sessions, the last of which included Queen Elizabeth's young children. This volume charts the story of Studio Lisa, from its humble beginnings right through to the granting of two Royal Warrants. For the first time Studio Lisa's cache of remarkable royal photographs is brought together, producing a marvellous collector's item and a treasure thankfully preserved for posterity.

Queen Victoria (4 May 1819 - 22 Jan 1901) is the UK's second longest-reigning monarch after Queen Elizabeth II, with 64 years between becoming queen in 1837 and her death in 1901. This book describes her extraordinary life and reign, her strength and achievements. 24 May 2019 is the 200th anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth.

King Alfred. Everybody knows that he is called "the Great," but few remember why. Forgetfulness is strange, for few men have led lives so full of physical, mental, and spiritual adventure, or influenced in so many ways the lives of people in every part of the globe. The Golden Dragon is his fascinating and moving story, told afresh with the aid of recent archaeological evidence and research in four languages. Alfred's achievements have melted cynicism. Gibbon called him "the greatest of English kings"; Hume, "the greatest man in history." Voltaire declared, "I know not whether there has ever been a man on earth worthier of posterity's respect." When his kingdom was reduced to thirty acres, he fought back with such courage and genius that he expelled the Viking invaders and made possible the saving of Western civilization. His list of accomplishments is amazing: transcendent diplomat, Europe's greatest naval designer, notable architect, law giver, founder of the oldest literary tradition in the Occident, originator of a system of public education, and producer of translations that have endured a thousand years. The author's research led him to the conclusion that the ninth-century English kin was the superior of Charlemagne in almost every respect, and indeed was one of the greatest geniuses Western civilization has ever produced. Alfred's courage, faith, and temperance are enduring examples for modern men.

Originally published in 1868, this book follows the life of Prince Henry, including chapters on the Siege of Tangier, the capture of Ceuta and the death of Prince Henry.

From the acclaimed Wolfson Prize-winning author, a dazzling history of the world's emperors For millennia much of the world was ruled by emperors: a handful of individuals claimed no limit to the lands they could rule over and no limit to their authority. They operated beyond normal human constraint and indeed often claimed a superhuman or divine authority. In practice they ran the gamut from being some of the most remarkable men who ever lived, to being some of the worst and least remarkable. Dominic Lieven's marvellous new book, In the Shadow of the Gods, is the first to grapple seriously with this extraordinary phenomenon. Across the world peoples, willingly or unwillingly, fell into orbit around figures who reshaped or destroyed entire societies, imposed religions and invaded rivals. Lieven describes the anatomy of imperial monarchy and the principles by which it functioned. He compares the great emperors of antiquity, the caliphs and the warrior-emperors of the steppe before he turns to the Habsburg, Russian, Ottoman, Mughal and Chinese emperors, packing the book with extraordinary stories, astute observations and a sense of both delight and horror at these individuals' antics. The entire breadth of extreme human behaviour is here - from warlords to patrons of the arts, from political genius to feeble incapacity and pathological violence. As one of the great experts both on empires and on Russian history, Lieven is brilliantly qualified to write a book that brings to life a system of rule that dominated most of human history, as well as some of history's grandest and most dismaying figures.

The Queen is a timely book with beautiful photos and fascinating details about one of the most famous women of modern times: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning British monarch in history. "Throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust." -Queen Elizabeth II, Coronation Speech, June 2, 1953 When the Queen passed away on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, she had reigned over the United Kingdom for a total of 70 years and 214 days, having 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 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 ruled. 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 dealt ably with 15 British Prime Ministers during her long reign, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss. It was, of course, not always straightforward and the Queen 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. From her uncle's abdication to the marriage of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, this intriguing biography includes all the ups and downs of Queen Elizabeth's long life.

This is a unique collection of 250 photographs celebrating the life and long reign of Queen Elizabeth II. 2012 marks the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. New in paperback, this compact edition - with the same extent as the hardback! - is a lovely gift book offering fascinating insight. HRH Queen Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom and Head of the Commonwealth, in Westminster Abbey on 2 June, 1953 at the age of 27, the 40th monarch since William the Conqueror and the great-great granddaughter of Queen Victoria. She celebrated her Silver and Golden Jubilees in 1977 and 2002 respectively, her 80th birthday in 2006 and in 2012 will celebrate 60 years on the throne, equaling Victoria as the only British monarch to have celebrated a Diamond Jubilee. During Elizabeth's long reign the world has witnessed sweeping changes, not least of which was the dissolution of the British Empire. "Queen Elizabeth II" records the major events of her reign, during which she has carried out her duties with a huge programme of visits in the UK as well as many foreign tours, her world travel being unprecedented by any previous monarch. In an age when photography has become the ubiquitous medium, the Queen has been one of the most photographed women in the world, with strong media interest ever since the days of her childhood as a young princess. Revealed here in almost 250 unique pictures, taken by photographers of the Press Association over a period of more than 80 years, is a fascinating documentation of the life of an extraordinary woman.

This book is the first to give a detailed and comprehensive account of all the children of Richard III, covering his only legitimate child, Edward of Middleham, Prince of Wales, his illegitimate children John of Gloucester, and Katherine, who became countess of Huntingdon, and to other possible children, particularly Richard Plantagenet of Eastwell. Much information has been gathered from all known sources and there are discussions of the disputed date of birth and death at the age of about eight years of Edward of Middleham.

Richard II, son of the Black Prince, had a dramatic and contentious kingship. At fourteen he faced down the ringleaders of the Peasant Revolt of 1381; only to reach the nadir of his royal authority in 1388 with the Merciless Parliament. Yet in only a decade, his rule was being referred to as `the tyranny'. This collection of essays by leading historians aims to re-evaluate the frequently biased evidence and create a rounded portrait of this fascinating and much-maligned figure.

In this major re-examination of her public and private life, Wanda Larson recreates and interprets one of the most interesting of 20th century lives. Queen Elisabeth of Belgium was not only a predominant factor in Belgium life through two world wars, she was one of ther generations's most brilliant musical organizers and patrons. Elisabeth has had a profound influence on contemporary piano competitions and she was crucial in the revival of Vivaldi, Mahler and others. The author discusses the historical context for this unusual life seen against the backdrop of her Bavarian Wittelsbach ancestors, her 'accidental' queenship, her popularity with her people and, most of all, her refusal to give up her musical career despite enormous family pressure.

As the battle for royal supremacy raged between the houses of Lancaster and York, Margaret Beaufort, who was descended from Edward III and proved to be a critical threat to the Yorkist cause, was forced to give up her son - she would be separated from him for fourteen years. Surrounded by conspiracies in the enemy Yorkist court, Margaret remained steadfast, only just escaping the headman's axe as she plotted to overthrow Richard III and secure her son the throne. Against all odds, in 1485 Henry Tudor was victorious on the battlefield at Bosworth. Margaret's unceasing efforts and royal blood saw her son crowned King Henry VII, and Margaret became the most powerful woman in England. Nicola Tallis unmasks the many myths that have attached themselves to Margaret and reveals the real woman: an independent and vibrant character, who would risk everything to become Queen in all but name.

At last: an authoritative, up to date account of the troubled reign of King Stephen, by a leading scholar of the Anglo-Norman world. David Crouch covers every aspect of the period - the king and the empress, the aristocracy, the Church, government and the nation at large. He also looks at the wider dimensions of the story, in Scotland, Wales, Normandy and elsewhere. The result (weaving its discussions around a vigorous narrative core) is a a work of major scholarship. A must for specialist and amateur medievalists alike.

Susan Doran describes and analyses the process of the Elizabethan Reformation, placing it in an English and a European context. She examines the religious views and policies of the Queen, the making of the 1559 settlement and the resulting reforms. The changing beliefs of the English people are discussed, and the author charts the fortunes of both Puritanism and Catholicism. Finally she looks at the strengths and weaknesses of Elizabeth I as royal governor, and of the Church of England as a whole.

'Writing about Queen Victoria has been one of the most joyous experiences of my life. I have read thousands (literally) of letters never before published, and grown used to her as to a friend. Maddening? Egomaniac? Hysterical? A bad mother? Some have said so. What emerged for me was a brave, original woman who was at the very epicentre of Britain's changing place in the world: a solitary woman in an all-male world who understood politics and foreign policy much better than some of her ministers; a person possessed by demons, but demons which she was brave enough to conquer. Above all, I became aware, when considering her eccentric friendships and deep passions, of what a loveable person she was.' A. N. Wilson

His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Lord High Admiral of the United Kingdom (his full title is 136 words long) is the oldest-ever male member of the British Royal Family, as well as by far the longest-serving and oldest spouse of a reigning British monarch. After 66 years of marriage to the Queen (who calls him her 'constant strength and guide'), he is so revered around the world that one community in the South Seas worships him as a god. Although his direct, no-nonsense approach to life has put many noses out of joint and frequently made headlines, his witticisms and occasional gaffes have helped to endear him to the British people almost as much as the Queen. Learn all about the public and private Prince Philip in this fascinating book

A BBC History Magazine Book of the Year 'One of the most important books to be written about the Tudors in a generation.' Tracy Borman In this groundbreaking history, Sarah Gristwood reveals the way courtly love made and marred the Tudor dynasty. From Henry VIII declaring himself as the 'loyal and most assured servant' of Anne Boleyn to the poems lavished on Elizabeth I by her suitors, the Tudors re-enacted the roles of devoted lovers and capricious mistresses first laid out in the romances of medieval literature, but now with life-and-death consequences for the protagonists. The Tudors in Love dissects the codes of love, desire and power, unveiling obsessions that have shaped the history of this nation. 'A riveting, pacy page-turner... the Tudors as you've never seen them before.' Alison Weir

Kitty Kelly's exposes of Oprah Winfrey, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Reagan, and Jackie Onassis have made her the world's most successful biographer. In this controversial book, after four years of research and hundreds of interviews with palace insiders, she unveils the best-kept secrets in Britain: the questions around one queen's parentage and another's conception...and the well-hidden royal affairs...the real reason for the tumultuous relationship between the Queen Mum and Diana...the behind-the-scenes accounts of the royal marriages...the mysterious circumstances around Diana's death...and more about the world's most beloved aristocracy. An eye-opening book that has been updated witht the family's latest exploits, THE ROYALS is haunting in its portraits of Charles and Diana, fascinating in its details, and must-reading for us all...

The Countess of Albany (1886) is a biography by Vernon Lee. Published at the height of her career as a leading proponent of Aestheticism and scholar of the Italian Renaissance, The Countess of Albany is a biography of Princess Louise of Stolberg-Gedern, whose unhappy marriage to Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, often obscured her reputation as an independent and interesting woman in her own right. A principled feminist and committed pacifist, Lee was virtually blacklisted by critics and publishers following her opposition to the First World War. Through the efforts of dedicated scholars, however, interest in her works has increased over the past several decades, granting her the readership she deserves as a master of literary horror. "On the Wednesday after Easter the bride and bridegroom made their solemn entry into Rome; the two travelling carriages of the Prince and of the Princess were drawn by six horses; four gala coaches, carrying the attendants of Charles Edward and of his brother the Cardinal Duke of York, followed behind, and the streets were cleared by four outriders dressed in scarlet with the white Stuart cockade." Although she is more widely known for her stories of supernatural horror, Lee was also a gifted researcher whose knowledge of Italian history and literary gift collide in The Countess of Albany. This biography is the story of Louise, a German princess who married Charles Edward Stuart, Jacobite claimant to the English throne. By the time of their acquaintance, Bonnie Prince Charlie was a man passed his prime, beaten down by years on the run after the failed uprising of 1745. Focusing on her independent spirit and relationship with Count Vittorio Alfieri of Italy, Lee provides invaluable insight on the life of a woman who forged her own path in a world dominated by men. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Vernon Lee's The Countess of Albany is a classic work of historical biography reimagined for modern readers.