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BOOK - A Brief Life of the Queen
Robert Lacey

DIANA CARROLL - Reviewer
INDAILY - 16.8.12

ROBERT Lacey's divine new book should be subtitled "Her greatest moments". Every highlight – and lowlight – from Her Majesty's great reign finds its spot in this mini guide to the monarchy.

At a time when most royal biographies are bigger than your coffee table, this is a pocket-sized gem. Lacey has cleverly distilled his vast and intimate knowledge of the royal family and the British establishment into a satisfying evening's reading. Add a sprinkling of well-chosen photographs and a dash of humour, and serve it all with the confidence of someone who is an absolute master of his subject.

Lacey is an accomplished writer and a respected historian, but in this book he has an engaging lightness of touch. He reminds us that Elizabeth was the "Princess of Hearts" long before "that girl" styled herself to be the People's Princess. He also retells the wonderful story of Her Majesty's icy response to an irksome newspaper editor: "That is an extremely pompous remark, if I may say so." We're not told the editor's response!

She may be the Queen, but she is also Prince Philip's wife and he alone, it seems from Lacey, rules over her in private if not in public. Despite the Prince's unequalled talent for "dontopedalogy" (guess and you'll be correct…) and persistent rumours of his fond appreciation of female company, theirs is clearly a rock-solid partnership. Between them, they have been remarkable custodians of the monarchy.

How will The Firm fare when left to Charles? Perhaps we're not the only ones who wonder. "The Queen and Prince Philip are just plain baffled by this eldest son they have produced," says a courtier. A Brief Life of the Queen is well written, beautifully presented, and great fun. What more can one ask of a book?

ENDS.