By the time that this is published, we will be a day past the Queen’s 94th birthday! She is the only British/ Commonwealth monarch that most of us have known, and she defines the modern role of monarch. However, there has been an incredible amount of change from the beginning of her reign to where we find ourselves now. The Crown on Netflix has done a wonderful job at bringing the beginning of her reign to life, and has introduced the British royal family to a whole new group of people. And luckily, there are books behind the series to look at the real history behind it all. This book bite is all about The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume I!
Queen Elizabeth II is quite a fascinating women and figure. She walks an incredibly difficult line between personal and majestic, and provides a sense of consistency that little else can manage. I thought that I had a pretty good knowledge of her reign, but I learned quite a lot from The Crown. However, as you might guess, the show does take liberties and freedoms with what happened in history. This volume covers the history behind the beginning of her reign, and is a fascinating read!
The Crown: The Official Companion, Volume I: Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill, and the Making of a Young Queen (1947-1955), Robert Lacey
This official companion to the show’s first season is an in-depth exploration of the early years of Elizabeth II’s time as Queen, complete with extensive research, additional material, and exclusive, beautifully reproduced images.
One of the show’s most powerful themes is that royals do not choose their duty; it is thrust upon them. Princess Elizabeth never expected her father to die so suddenly, so young, leaving her not only a throne to fill but a global institution to govern. Crowned at twenty-five, already a wife and mother, follow the journey of a woman learning to become a queen while facing her own challenges within her own family. This is the story of how Elizabeth II drew on every ounce of strength and British reserve to deal with crises not only on the continent but at home as well.
Written by bestselling historical biographer Robert Lacey, who also serves as the show’s historical consultant, this official companion provides an in-depth exploration from behind the palace gates. Relive the majesty of the first season of the hit show, with behind-the-scenes photos, meticulously researched images from the time, and more.
If you are interested in The Crown or the modern royal family, I would recommend reading this book. The essays are easily digestible and Lacey covers all of the important points without being overwhelming or stuffy. And I find in this Covid-19, global pandemic world of ours, it is now easier for me to understand the post-war period where she came to the throne.
Want to read about some of Elizabeth’s fashion choices? Read my Fashion Rules exhibition post!
Have you read The Crown: The Official Companion, Vol I? Do you have a favourite QEII bio?
Cheers,
The Historian
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