Publication Day

The Story of Two Exemplary Lives

Today is a big day for me. It marks the publication of George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy, a dual biography of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s father (depicted in the movie The King’s Speech) and mother (later widely known as the Queen Mum). It took four years to research and write, including three months exploring their diaries and letters in the Royal Archives at Windsor Castle, a special privilege granted to me by the Queen. I providentially wrapped up my research there in the autumn of 2019, just months before Covid-19 hit and locked down much of the Western world. The Royal Archives were shuttered for two years.

George VI (Bertie, as he was known to family and friends) and Elizabeth were congenial companions during the lockdown. As we dealt with the stress of 21^st century adversity, I often thought of how steadfast Bertie and Elizabeth were during the Second World War, when they carried out their duties regardless of risk (Buckingham Palace was bombed nine times by the Germans, and on one occasion the King and Queen were nearly killed). They repeatedly visited obliterated neighborhoods in London and throughout the United Kingdom to survey the damage and console the victims. When Queen Elizabeth gave one of her radio broadcasts in the spring of 1943, she was inspired by  “the grey & narrow streets” of two coastal towns near Newcastle that had been devastated by the Luftwaffe. “If one can help those gallant people, everything is worthwhile,” she wrote to Sir Alan Lascelles, her husband’s deputy private secretary.

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I hope you’ll indulge me on this day when I am especially reminded of their exemplary lives—and permit me to share some of what early readers of my book have said.

I equally hope you are interested in reading the story of this remarkable couple who shaped a beloved queen who would reign for an extraordinary seventy years.

George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Saved the Monarchy

And if you happen to be in one of the places below in the months ahead and would like to hear more about the book, please come and introduce yourself. I would be delighted to sign a book for you!