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Queen Elizabeth II

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Queen Elizabeth II

By: Hugo Vickers
Narrated by: Hugo Vickers
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THE MAJOR NEW BIOGRAPHY OF THE LATE QUEEN: AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER.

'Impeccably researched . . . Hugo Vickers offers us his piercing insights into the innermost workings of the Royal family' - DAILY MAIL

'His knowledge of royalty and aristocracy is encyclopaedic . . . and his deep emotional connection with Elizabeth II and certain members of her family is given full throttle. The detail about a very public woman who, at the same time, was very private, is so remarkable' - TELEGRAPH 5-STAR REVIEW

'The closest thing to an authorised life one is likely to read. Intelligent, intuitive and scrupulously researched' - QUADRANT MAGAZINE

'A perfect match between subject and writer . . . The level of detail in Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History is unequalled' - THE TIMES

'Vickers is the Tolstoy of royal biography, creating a vast and detailed panorama, the eccentric footnotes a glorious satire of scholarship.' - SPECTATOR

Queen Elizabeth II occupies a unique place in the hearts of her people, and in this major biography marking the Centenary of her birth, acclaimed royal historian Hugo Vickers sheds new light on the woman behind the greatest reign in British history. Based on six decades of close research into her life and reign, this master work contains not only archival research and close personal observation but many hours of conversation with those who knew and worked with The Queen.

After a supremely happy decade of early childhood, a certain gravitas descended with the death of her beloved grandfather, George V, and the Abdication of her uncle Edward VIII. As Vickers reveals in impeccable prose, she accepted her destiny and worked steadfastly to prepare for what was to come, dedicating her life to the service of the Commonwealth. On her twenty-first birthday in 1947, she made a promise to serve and kept it for a remarkable seventy-five years. She was steadfast and conciliatory and presided calmly over decades of change, political upheaval and family tragedy.

Described by the Financial Times as 'the most knowledgeable royal biographer on the planet', Vickers is completely at home in the world of Queen Elizabeth II. He has worked with members of her family on various projects and also met with members of her Household. He first met The Queen in 1968 and had his last conversation with her in June 2022. This is his most incisive book yet, decoding hidden patterns in our most iconic monarch's behaviour to illuminate her as never before.

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Queen Elizabeth II was an instant Top 10 Sunday Times bestseller in the w/c 13.04.2026.©2026 HRH The Duke of Kent, Hugo Vickers (P)2026 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Entertainment & Celebrities Europe Great Britain Politics & Activism Royalty Heartfelt Witty
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Critic Reviews

'Based on six decades of close observation . . . the royal historian presents a portrait of the steadfast woman who long wore the crown.'
Royal historian Hugo Vickers brings together a lifetime's worth of anecdotes in this "personal" biography, which draws on 60 years' worth of research as well as never-before-seen sources. (Telegraph)
In his impeccably researched biography of the late Queen, Hugo Vickers offers us his piercing insights into the innermost workings of the Royal family
The closest thing to an authorised life one is likely to read. Intelligent, intuitive and scrupulously researched
All stars
Most relevant
Definitely will listen again. Very respectful and comprehensive book about the life and times of Queen Elizabeth II. I found the author a little monotone in his reading, but it was pleasant. There are a lot of facts and dates, which was a little over the top, but he was trying to cover a nearly 70 + year history. There were no major revelations, but it was worth the listen.

Comprehensive

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I was really excited to listen to this book but the flat halting delivery made it a chore. Every sentence has yhe same expression and is deliver in short burst that die off at the end. Instead of sounding like a narrative, it sounded more like a shopping list that he couldn't wait to get to the end of. Probably an excellent book to read but listening is unpleasant. I dont know if authors do this to save money or out of conceit but its such a pity.

Authors should NOT read their own books

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I pre-ordered this book after listening to Hugo promoting it on the podcast circuit. I had such high hopes but I am disappointed.

Unfortunately Hugo is not a very good narrator. I found him hard to follow with pauses in the wrong places as he was reading. I kept losing track and having to rewind to work out what he was talking about.

I thought some of the content was not relevant and wasn’t even about the QE2. Sorry Hugo. Missed the mark for me.

Disappointed

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