The definitive biography of Her Majesty The Queen by one of Britain’s leading royal authorities.

With original insights from those who know her best, new interviews with world leaders and access to unseen papers, bestselling author Robert Hardman explores the full, astonishing life of our longest reigning monarch in this compellingly authoritative yet intimate biography.

Elizabeth II was not born to be queen. Yet from her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the age of Covid-19, she has proved an astute and quietly determined figure, leading her family and her people through more than seventy years of unprecedented social change. She has faced constitutional crises, confronted threats against her life, rescued the Commonwealth, seen her prime ministers come and go, charmed world leaders, been criticised as well as feted by the media, and steered her family through a lifetime in the public eye.

Queen of Our Times is a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal, spanning abdication, war, romance, danger and tragedy. It is a compelling portrait of a leader who remains as intriguing today as the day she came to the throne aged twenty-five.

By the acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Robert Hardman, Charles III is an intimate portrait of the monarch that draws on unrivalled access to the Royal Family, their close friends and staff, plus previously unseen papers from the Royal Archives.

With damaging headlines unleashed by the Sussexes, political crises and questions about the future of the monarchy, Charles III had no shortage of challenges when he came to the throne. The Royal Family then faced a double blow in early 2024 when the King and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, were diagnosed with cancer. By the end of the year, the King had returned to regular duties, dealing with a new government at home and diplomatic turmoil abroad. As head of state of fifteen nations, he would soon find himself caught up in the new and uncertain world order taking shape following the election of President Trump.

The dramatic story is uncovered here, along with the vital role played by Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and others. From the emotional days following the death of Elizabeth II and the truth about the King’s relationship with Prince William and Prince Harry to his handling of Prince Andrew, Hardman takes us behind the pomp and ceremony to reveal Charles the man as well as the monarch.

Authoritative and richly insightful, Charles III is the definitive account of a king determined to maximize ‘the time God grants me’ – and enjoy it.

A Sunday Times Book of the Year Queen Of Our Times is the definitive biography of Queen Elizabeth II by one of Britain’s leading royal authorities, Robert Hardman. This commemorative edition includes an epilogue reflecting upon Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, her passing and her funeral. 'Sensational' – Kirsty Young, The Platinum Pageant (BBC) With fascinating revelations from those who knew her best and special access to unseen royal papers granted by Elizabeth II herself, author and royal expert Robert Hardman explores the full, astonishing life of our longest reigning monarch in this authoritative yet intimate biography. The book also charts the way in which the Queen raised the future King Charles III as both son and heir. Elizabeth was not born to be queen, being third in line to the throne. Yet from her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the age of Covid-19, she proved an astute and quietly determined figure, leading her family and her people through more than seventy years of unprecedented social change. She faced constitutional crises, confronted threats against her life, unified the Commonwealth, saw fifteen British prime ministers come and go, charmed world leaders, and steered her family through a lifetime in the public eye. Her Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in June 2022 and her death mourned months later, both events a reminder of the huge impact she had made. Queen of Our Times is a must-read study of dynastic survival and renewal, spanning abdication, war, romance, danger and tragedy. It is a compelling portrait of a leader whose legacy of steadfast service lives on.

ITV documentary celebrating the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II. Following the Queen and the Royal Family over the course of the year, the programme provides an insight into their work at home and abroad and their private life behind the doors of the Royal households. Featuring archive footage and interviews with those closest to the Queen, the programme also looks back on her life and reign, during which time she has become the longest-reigning British Sovereign.

WRITTEN ALONGSIDE THE MAJOR ITV DOCUMENTARY

‘Dazzling, poignant and full of delicious surprises; the true story of how Elizabeth II took on the world – and won. The Crown is fictional. Here is the real thing.’ – Andrew Roberts

'In Queen of the World Robert Hardman anatomizes from almost every conceivable angle the workings of soft power in creating the present Queen's global role ... His book is a veritable reference work and cornucopia, overflowing with significant anecdotes, people, traditions and incidents.' – Times Literary Supplement

Written by the renowned royal biographer, Robert Hardman, and with privileged access to the Royal Family and the Royal Household, a brilliant new portrait of the most famous woman in the world and her place in it.

On today's world stage, one leader stands apart. Queen Elizabeth II has seen more of the planet and its people than any other head of state, and has engaged with them like no other monarch in British history. Since her coronation, she has visited over 130 countries across the ever-changing globe, acting as diplomat, stateswoman, pioneer and peace-broker.

She has transformed her father’s old empire into the Commonwealth, her ‘family of nations’, and has come to know its leaders better than anyone. In 2018, they would gather in her own home to endorse her eldest son, the Prince of Wales, as her successor.

With extensive access to the Queen’s family and staff, Hardman tells a true story full of drama, intrigue, exotic and even dangerous situations, heroes, rogues, pomp and glamour – and, at the centre of it all, the woman who has genuinely won the hearts of the world.

________ The bestselling and acclaimed biography of Queen Elizabeth II. With new material exclusive to the paperback edition, Our Queen examines the remarkable reign of Britain's most devoted monarch. History knew no monarch like her. She travelled farther than all her predecessors put together, and lived and reigned longer than any of them. She met with more historic figures than anyone who preceded her - from Churchill to Mandela, de Gaulle to Obama. Here, the distinguished royal writer Robert Hardman has been granted rare and privileged access to the world of Queen Elizabeth II to produce this enthralling portrait of one of history's most popular figures. 'So much has changed around the Queen yet she has remained utterly true to herself,' says Hardman. 'There is this timeless quality about her. The more you talk to Her Majesty's family and to her people, the more you look at her life, the more impressive the scale of her achievement becomes.' Here is the inside story.