Queen of the World

Queen of the World

Summary

A brilliant portrait of the most famous woman in the world and her place in it, written by the renowned royal biographer and author of Queen of Our Times, Robert Hardman.
_____

'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
_____


On recent world history, one leader stands apart. Queen Elizabeth II saw more of the planet and its people than any other head of state, and engaged with them like no other monarch in British history. After her coronation, she visited over 130 countries across the ever-changing globe, acting as diplomat, stateswoman, pioneer and peace-broker, while also managing the responsibilities of a mother and grandmother, and her sixty-four-year marriage to the late Prince Philip.

She transformed her father's old empire into the Commonwealth, her 'family of nations', and came 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 genuinely won the hearts of the world for seventy glorious years.
_____
'Superb' - Peter Hennessy

'Hardman's book, filled with new details, will be an essential source for any historian of modern Britain. It's also a glorious read' - William Shawcross, Spectator

Reviews

  • Hardman’s book, filled with new details, will be an essential source for any historian of modern Britain. It’s also a glorious read
    William Shawcross, The Spectator

About the author

Robert Hardman

Robert Hardman is one of the foremost observers of the modern British royal scene, and the bestselling author of Our Queen. He has covered all aspects of the Monarchy for British newspapers, television and radio over more than 25 years and has interviewed many members of the Royal Family for his books and for a series of internationally-acclaimed films. These include Our Queen at Ninety (ITV 2016), Our Queen (ITV 2013), Charles at 60 (BBC One 2008), Monarchy: The Royal Family At Work (BBC One 2007) and The Queen’s Castle (BBC One 2005).


As a newspaper journalist and columnist, Robert has also covered more than 60 royal tours worldwide. In addition to the British Royal Family, his royal interviewees have included the Emperor and Empress of Japan, the King and Queen of Norway and the Queen of Denmark. He now writes the acclaimed How I See It column for the Daily Mail. Married with three children, he lives in London.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more