Anyone hoping for juicy revelations about the goings-on in the
Royal household will be disappointed in this book by veteran royal
chronicler Brian Hoey. Rather, it provides a measured, some would
say wooden, account of the workings of a household which has
changed little since Tudor times. Decidedly deferential in tone, it
displays a disappointing reluctance to take on some of the major
issues surrounding the running of the monarchy and although there
is some critical comment, this seems to be confined to one or two
members of the family itself, past and present, rather than to the
institution itself. Leafing through the first few chapters, which
describe the day-to-day running of the household from the
perspective of some of its lowlier staff, even the most cynical
reader cannot fail to be intrigued, if somewhat bemused, by the
quaint traditions and hierarchies of this archaic and creaking
edifice. However, as one progresses through further chapters on
subjects such as the likes and dislikes of various members of the
Royal Family, their animals and the system of royal Honours and
Orders, one finds oneself becoming increasingly irritated by the
petty and outdated conventions of royal life and the vast resources
required to fund them. Although we are frequently led to believe
that the younger royals, in particular, are in favour of a more
relaxed and modern approach to the monarchy, if what Hoey has to
say is true there is little evidence for this in the daily rituals
of the family and its staff, described here in exhaustive detail.
However, the sheer necessity of putting the royal finances in order
and dealing with an ever more intrusive media has led to the
appointment of professionals from the business world, and accounts
of their activities, as well as those of the Royal Protection Force
and those responsible for the complex travel arrangements of the
family and the vast Royal art collection make for more interesting
reading. In amongst the minutiae, there is an ample peppering of
anecdotes to satisfy the public's apparently insatiable curiosity
about royal affairs, and with a selection of fine photographs, this
book will undoubtedly appeal to royal enthusiasts. (Kirkus UK)
Behind the scenes of the private world at the heart of royalty, as
revealed by a distinguished royal commentator. This is the real
story of what goes on inside the royal palaces, as witnessed by
members of the royal staff and household past and present.
Buckingham Palace is effectively an independent kingdom with its
own rules and customs, now explained by Brian Hoey. Hundreds of
anecdotes reveal the conditions in which the staff live and work
and also their relationship with the Royals they serve. How does
one get a job as personal footman to the Queen? Why does Prince
Charles still have to send a note to her Page of the Backstairs
requesting a meeting with his mother? How much do members of the
household earn? Why does the Queen hate men in three-piece suits?
Why are the Queen's bedsheets six inches longer than Prince
Philip's? Why do her maids have to vacuum walking backwards? Why
doesn't the Queen allow square ice-cubes to be put in her drinks?
General
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