The Queen by Andrew Morton

Every now and then I become intrigued by the British monarchy. My mother and grandmother were very interested in them, and they both took time out of their busy lives to watch Diana's wedding to Prince Charles. My grandmother may have also watched the late Queen's coronation as well, though I don't remember her mentioning it. The royal family has always been a part of dinner conversation growing up, even though we are from the United States. As I grew up, I continued my mother and grandmother's interest in the monarchy, and England.

I was really introduced to the late Queen Elizabeth II when Sali Hughes was discussing a book she had written on the late Queen's fashion. I became very interested in researching her looks and how involved everything was surrounding the Queen.

After the Queen passed away, I realized I didn't know anything about her except that she had been Queen for a very long time. Because I was going all in on the Thomas Cromwell books this year, I wanted to add in something modern and relevant to balance out the Henry VIII court. I also liked the idea of reading this book after discussing Anne Boleyn in more detail and Shakespeare's Hamlet. To read about the monarchy and the job of being Queen is very different through these lenses.

SUMMARY

Andrew Morton dives into the upstairs and downstairs world of the Windsor family. He takes us on a journey from the birth of the late Queen to almost her passing. Beyond the family drama of Charles and Diana there is a wealth of information regarding her childhood during World War I, and what it takes to be the Queen.

INITIAL THOUGHTS

I loved it. This is my first royal biography and I couldn't put it down. The amount of things that the late Queen Elizabeth II saw and was involved in is astounding. It is clear that Andrew Morton really loved the Queen. He depicts her in a different light than I've seen through media and personal chatter. Although not in her own words, Andrew Morton reveals a thoughtful and dutiful Queen rather than a cold and detached one.

According to staff, interviews, etc. the late Queen Elizabeth II was always thinking of the British people and what would be best for them. She was incredibly thoughtful with her staff and those who helped her run her households remembering birthdays, births, and marriages.

I also appreciated that there was a hint of criticism in the book as well. Sometimes the late Queen Elizabeth's initial thoughtfulness would backfire. During the aftermath of a horrible mining disaster, the late Queen held off on arriving to the scene because she wanted to make sure that first responders could easily get in and out. But the people wanted her there, and eventually she went. Another instance was when Lady Diana passed away. The British people wanted the Queen at Buckingham Palace to share in their grief, but instead she was with her family consoling her grandchildren William and Henry. Before she came back to Buckingham Palace there were so many horrible things said about her reaction to Diana. When in reality she was being a good grandmother.

THINGS I'M STILL THINKING ABOUT

The immense amount of pressure to be dutiful to the crown and the people must be overwhelming at times. Obviously because many royals have not been able to handle the pressure which has led to them acting out in various ways. While I was reading the book I found myself feeling sorry for the late Queen because she dedicated her whole life to the institution and sacrificed a lot of personal wants and desires, and yet gets all the blame for any family drama that occurred. It must be a strange thing to be a woman, a mother, and responsible for the welfare of so many.

To be responsible for the entirety of the British people, head of the Church of England, and represent the government would be all consuming. I can see how it would be easy to forget that the late Queen Elizabeth was a person, a mother, and a grandmother. A queen is not allowed to have bad days, or opinions. She is there to serve. In my own personal life the pull of motherhood, working on Glossy Philosophy, and having time to nurture relationships outside of immediate family is very hard. You are constantly walking a tightrope, falling off, and getting back on.

I also found myself thinking about the queens of the past and how lonely it must get. The late Queen Elizabeth II father spoke many times about the loneliness of the job and was very concerned about his daughter's wellbeing. By the end of the book I felt that no matter what you think of the late Queen you have to respect her service and remember that she was doing her best.

RECOMMEND

Yes! 100%. I have read some criticism of the book stating that there is nothing new here, and that Andrew Morton was overreaching with his familiarity with the royal family. I'm not someone who enjoys major gossip, so I'm not sure how to feel about this. I thought, coming at it as an American bystander who has respect for the late Queen, that Andrew Morton did a great job writing about this incredible woman who helped run a country longer than anyone else has ever done. If you've ever wondered about the late Queen, this is a great place to start.