Royal Biographies

A great gift idea for someone who is fascinated by the Royal family is a biography about them.   Reading a royal biography gives you a glimpse into a world that you can’t ever be a part of – extreme escapism!  

Some of the favorite royal biographies are on the British royal family and in particular members of the current House of Windsor.  

Born plain Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon the Queen Mother was to become one of Britain’s favorite royals.    She was loved by people who were not particularly royal fans as one person said (on television after her death) she was like Britain’s granny!   

Growing up Elizabeth’s family lovingly called her Princess Elizabeth as she was the youngest daughter, little could they have realized that she would one day be Queen!   The Bowes-Lyon children played with George V’s children regularly and his second son – Prince Albert fell head over heels with Elizabeth.

After reportedly proposing 5 times Elizabeth finally agreed to marry Albert.   The royal couple were married at Westminster Abbey and Elizabeth won the public’s heart when she placed her bouquet on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.   Elizabeth became the Duchess of York and her and Albert went on to have two children – Elizabeth and Margaret.

When Elizabeth, the Duchess of York’s father-in-law passed away her brother-in-law became Edward VIII, however he was never coronated choosing instead to abdicate in favor of marrying the woman he loved.   The Duke of York was now King and Elizabeth became his Queen.   Taking his father’s name of George Albert became King George VI and Elizabeth’s daughters were the next in line for the throne.

George VI died in his fifties from lung cancer leaving Elizabeth a young widow.   In the past the Queen consort would retire gracefully from public duties and become the Dowager Queen.   Winston Churchill however suggested that Elizabeth fashion herself as the Queen Mother and carve a royal role out for herself……and that is what Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother did!

Queen Elizabeth II came into the world to very little public scrutiny.   She was the eldest daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York and although she was 3^rd in line for the throne upon her birth it wasn’t an anticipated event.    When Elizabeth’s uncle Edward VIII abdicated her life changed, she was the King’s eldest daughter and heir to the British throne.

Elizabeth met Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark when she was only 13 and they kept in contact throughout the war with letters.   They married in 1947 and it was Prince Philip who broke the news to her of her father’s death while they were in Kenya.   Although King George VI had serious doubts about their marriage because of Elizabeth’s youth the couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2007.

Elizabeth and Philip have had four children – Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward and have eight grandchildren.

Queen Elizabeth II is presently the oldest reigning British monarch ever and if she lives to 2012 she will become the longest reigning British monarch ever overtaking her great great grandmother Queen Victoria.    Queen Elizabeth’s mother lived to be 101 years old and the Queen herself appears to still be in great health.

During her long reign Queen Elizabeth II has seen many changes in the world and has steered her country and family through them all with grace

Prince Charles was the firstborn of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip making his entrance to the world on 14^th November 1948.   When Prince Charles was only four years old his grandfather died and his mother became Queen.   This meant that Charles was next in line for the throne.

Prince Charles studied the Welsh language and history while at university and in doing so became the first Prince of Wales to attempt to learn Wales’ language.

After university he spent time in both the Air Force and the Navy.   He was also linked to numerous women over the years including Princesses, Baronesses, models and other society women.   He also met Camilla Shand and asked her parents for permission to marry her – his father disapproved and he was sent away on official business during which time Camilla married someone else.

Charles continued to have several romances including one with Lady Sarah Spencer, he was to eventually settle down with Sarah’s youngest sister Lady Diana Spencer.    They married in 1981 and had two children – William and Harry.   The couple divorced and it was revealed that Charles and Camilla were having an affair during Charles and Diana’s marriage which caused a public backlash against him.

After Diana’s death Charles and Camilla eventually went public and are now married.

Charles is in an unenviable in that his role is to wait for his mother to die – can you imagine?   Charles is actually the longest serving heir apparent in Britain.   He has been ridiculed over the years for his stance on sustainable farming which is now very much popular opinion.   He has also spent a lot of time working for a number of charities

Born Lady Diana Spencer, Diana caught the public eye when she started dating Prince Charles.   She soon got given the nickname of Shy Di because of her way of peeking up through her hair in a shy glance.   The royal wedding of Charles and Diana took place at St Paul’s Cathedral and was televised around the world.

Within a year of marrying Diana gave birth to their first child William, he was to be followed a couple of years later by a brother Harry.   Diana came out of her shell and became the most photographed woman in the world.  

She became a fashion icon with people around the world following her lead as far as what to wear.   She was seen out and about with her children wearing jeans which made her feel accessible to the general public and won their hearts.

Cracks began to appear in her marriage and she finally went public with her story telling of Charles and Camilla’s affair along with her own affair and her battle with anorexia.

After Diana and Charles were divorced she was said to be involved with many different people including Will Carling (the rugby player), Doctor Hasnat Khan and Dodi Al-Fayed.    She was with Dodi when she was killed in a car crash while trying to evade the paparazzi.   Her death was met with huge public outpouring and her funeral was televised around the world as people were stunned that such an icon could be dead.