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Majesty: Queen Elizabeth II and the House of Windsor
The Queen's personal life and her involvement in political crises are given equal attention in this detailed portrait of the British royal family in the twentieth century
349 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1977
About the author
Robert Lacey
76 books315 followersRobert Lacey is a British historian noted for his original research, which gets him close to - and often living alongside - his subjects. He is the author of numerous international bestsellers.
After writing his first works of historical biography, Robert, Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Ralegh, Robert wrote Majesty, his pioneering biography of Queen Elizabeth II. Published in 1977, Majesty remains
acknowledged as the definitive study of British monarchy - a subject on which the author continues to write and lecture around the world, appearing regularly on ABC's Good Morning America and on CNN's Larry King Live.
The Kingdom, a study of Saudi Arabia published in 1981, is similarly acknowledged as required reading for businessmen, diplomats and students all over the world. To research The Kingdom, Robert and his wife Sandi took their family to live for eighteen months beside the Red Sea in Jeddah. Going out into the desert, this was when Robert earned his title as the "method actor" of contemporary biographers.
In March 1984 Robert Lacey took his family to live in Detroit, Michigan, to write Ford: the Men and the Machine, a best seller on both sides of the Atlantic which formed the basis for the TV mini-series of the same title, starring Cliff Robertson.
Robert's other books include biographies of the gangster Meyer Lansky, Princess Grace of Monaco and a study of Sotheby's auction house. He co- authored The Year 1000 - An Englishman's World, a description of life at the turn of the last millennium. In 2002, the Golden Jubilee Year of Queen Elizabeth II, he published Royal (Monarch in America), hailed by Andrew Roberts in London's Sunday Telegraph as "compulsively readable", and by Martin Amis in The New Yorker as "definitive".
With the publication of his Great Tales Robert Lacey returns to his first love - history. Robert Lacey is currently the historical consultant to the award-winning Netflix series "The Crown".
After writing his first works of historical biography, Robert, Earl of Essex and Sir Walter Ralegh, Robert wrote Majesty, his pioneering biography of Queen Elizabeth II. Published in 1977, Majesty remains
acknowledged as the definitive study of British monarchy - a subject on which the author continues to write and lecture around the world, appearing regularly on ABC's Good Morning America and on CNN's Larry King Live.
The Kingdom, a study of Saudi Arabia published in 1981, is similarly acknowledged as required reading for businessmen, diplomats and students all over the world. To research The Kingdom, Robert and his wife Sandi took their family to live for eighteen months beside the Red Sea in Jeddah. Going out into the desert, this was when Robert earned his title as the "method actor" of contemporary biographers.
In March 1984 Robert Lacey took his family to live in Detroit, Michigan, to write Ford: the Men and the Machine, a best seller on both sides of the Atlantic which formed the basis for the TV mini-series of the same title, starring Cliff Robertson.
Robert's other books include biographies of the gangster Meyer Lansky, Princess Grace of Monaco and a study of Sotheby's auction house. He co- authored The Year 1000 - An Englishman's World, a description of life at the turn of the last millennium. In 2002, the Golden Jubilee Year of Queen Elizabeth II, he published Royal (Monarch in America), hailed by Andrew Roberts in London's Sunday Telegraph as "compulsively readable", and by Martin Amis in The New Yorker as "definitive".
With the publication of his Great Tales Robert Lacey returns to his first love - history. Robert Lacey is currently the historical consultant to the award-winning Netflix series "The Crown".
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 8, 2022
RIP, dearest Queen Elizabeth II, September 8th, 2022, a live of service is a powerful thing. I will seek more readings and there are tons to choose from.
Oct., 2016 I have had this book on my shelf for awhile. Queen Elizabeth II has always been, as the title alludes to, majestic. So much has changed since this book was written in the 70's and to think she is now over 90 years old and still doing the same job that she started back in the early 1950's. Talk about a strong woman. I look forward to reading a similar style book carrying on her reign from the seventies to whenever....A life of dedication to a career and a unique lifestyle is beyond admirable.
Oct., 2016 I have had this book on my shelf for awhile. Queen Elizabeth II has always been, as the title alludes to, majestic. So much has changed since this book was written in the 70's and to think she is now over 90 years old and still doing the same job that she started back in the early 1950's. Talk about a strong woman. I look forward to reading a similar style book carrying on her reign from the seventies to whenever....A life of dedication to a career and a unique lifestyle is beyond admirable.
February 14, 2011
Majesty: Elizabeth II and the House of Windsor by Robert Lacey is a book that chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II up until the 1970's. It is a large and detailed book that is a valuable addition to the library of any Anglophile or historian.
Near the end of the book, I chuckled at the author's admission that some were wondering when the Queen would abdicate in favor of her son, Charles. She is now 83 and and continues to show a remarkable work ethic, besides the fact that a controversial abdication is what put her on the throne in the first place and she is not likely to rely on an abdication as an excuse to "retire".
Near the end of the book, I chuckled at the author's admission that some were wondering when the Queen would abdicate in favor of her son, Charles. She is now 83 and and continues to show a remarkable work ethic, besides the fact that a controversial abdication is what put her on the throne in the first place and she is not likely to rely on an abdication as an excuse to "retire".
February 21, 2017
Great read for fans of the Netflix series "The Crown."
July 13, 2020
Interesting read if you have watched Netflix -The Crown.
Growing up on Cinderella and Snow White and with Disney promoting the castle theme with Beauty and the Beast, etc there is always this glamour and mystery surrounding the Queen of England. This novel reads like a story- every now and then it bogged down into the politics of London, but on the whole it was a good read if you are fascinated by the Kings and Queens of the past- but especially of the longest reigning Queen herself- Elizabeth II. I would like to have rated it 3.5....but unable to do so.
Growing up on Cinderella and Snow White and with Disney promoting the castle theme with Beauty and the Beast, etc there is always this glamour and mystery surrounding the Queen of England. This novel reads like a story- every now and then it bogged down into the politics of London, but on the whole it was a good read if you are fascinated by the Kings and Queens of the past- but especially of the longest reigning Queen herself- Elizabeth II. I would like to have rated it 3.5....but unable to do so.
September 10, 2020
Intriguing! This book was published in 1977 so it covers Queen Elizabeth II reign up to that point. I learned so much about the Queen. The relationships she had with her father and grandfather. Her close relationship with her grandmother. How she dealt with scandals of her reign, mostly with family members dating divorcees. I need to find a great biography that starts from the 70's up until present time. She seems to not be emotional in public but to just imagine some of the behind the scenes stuff with all that has happened in the past forty years.
October 2, 2022
interesting read on Queen Elizabeth II life through the first 25 years of her reign. I glossed over the parts that dealt with Parliament and the Prime Ministers --- parts of British government that I don't really understand. But the majority dealt with her private life and the reasons leading up to why she became the monarch were fascinating to me. She seems to have been someone different than the royal persona she showed. Not a "regular" person but not a "hoity-toity" person either. Good read.
August 2, 2017
I read this as I just finished binge watching the series, The Crown, and wanted to see how accurate it was. I found the book interesting until the last quarter where the author detailed lots of politics. Guess I was looking for a more personal view of the Queen and family -- which I thought the first 3/4s handled well.
August 10, 2017
Glad I came upon this, as it reminds me (or teaches me!) the characters in the story leading up to Princess Di, on this the 20th anniversary of her passing. Especially folks like Mountbatten (Prince Charles's great uncle). The end of the book was cumbersome to me, with details about parlament, and someone with interest/background in political science would have enjoyed it better than me.
January 18, 2018
There's something very special about reading the biography (1977) of someone who still plays an active role in public life. With all that we know about the house of Windsor now, and everything that has happened since this monumental book was first published, you cannot stop but appreciate what a good job Lacey did with the information he had at the time.
April 17, 2021
I enjoy Lacey's writing though this work is more seriously-toned than his delightful Great Tales from English History. The author seems well-informed and his writing is judicious, sympathetic yet critical.
September 22, 2022
This has been a year of reading or rereading books on Queen Elizabeth II. This was a reread. It was a nice refresher. I did find it a little difficult to read but that might be because I have read so many books.
June 24, 2023
Worth reading for the bits of Royal anecdotes. At times incredibly engaging, and at other times tedious with minute details. The flashes (some whole chapters indeed) of insight and personal revelations kept me reading.
Appendix D, the Kings and Queens of England, was an enjoyable inclusion.
Appendix D, the Kings and Queens of England, was an enjoyable inclusion.
December 31, 2017
Well written and it was nice to have the photographs too.
July 16, 2021
Dated and mild.
November 18, 2023
If you like the royal history you will like this.
I have never been interested.
I have never been interested.
February 4, 2024
Published in 1977, this book presents an interesting historic view of Elizabeth II, long before the entrances of Diana (and Camilla), Sarah, Kate and Meghan on to the royal scene.
March 9, 2024
Rather a bland telling of the doings of the royal family and how Elizabeth came to be queen. Factual without sensationalism or over exposure but also without highlights or personal opinions.
October 1, 2021
First one of two books written by Robert Lacey on Queen Elizabeth II. A very interesting read, written in 1977 and covers her reign up to her Sliver Jubilee.
June 30, 2013
If this book had ended after the first 5/6ths (~250 pages out of the 304 in my edition), I would be giving it a resounding and unequivocal five-star rating. Robert Lacey's writing is magnificent, and the lively presentation of his subjects is extraordinary. He does not limit the biography merely to a glossy background of HM the Queen, but also to a multi-dimensional depiction of her parents, grandparents, Prime Ministers, sister, and husband, creating a deep and vivid examination of everything that makes Elizabeth II...well, tick. In fact, the only people he really ignores, for the most part, are her children - but they were still young, I suppose (but I expect more of them in Monarch).
And it is so well-done, because Mr. Lacey does not dispense his opinion, only information - and when he does pass judgment, it is in the guise of the personal feelings of those involved. So all that is required to make the book work for a reader is an emotional investment - one I surrendered most automatically, almost unwittingly, and discovering so at strange moments.
For example, recently (yesterday), my mother and I watched "The Iron Lady," with Meryl Streep, and one of the previews on the DVD was for a film by Madonna (?!) called, "W. E." It is a film about the romance between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson (apparently there's a line in the film about "telling the story from her point of view," which is baffling to me because she had already done that herself), the one which launched HM the Queen upon the path of the destiny chronicled so well and impartially by Mr. Lacey. As the trailer wore on, I sat there with my Anglophilic and Windsor-philic heart beating wildly with indignation, and suddenly (and to my disbelief) my mother remarked that she finds it an incredible romance, a wonderful and rare story in which the man stands by the woman no matter what. And I guess one could see it that way. But I can't get over how different the world would be if one man had not fallen irreparably in love with the wrong (married!) woman at a time when everything about that love was unsuitable.
So I guess reading this book really hits home just how a bizarre turn of fortune dictated the future of a girl, a family, and a nation. And that is so well done. As is the early part of Elizabeth II's reign, the little-known facts about the idiosyncrasies of being the Sovereign ("She could, in theory, declare was as Queen of Australia upon New Zealand, of which she is also Queen - or upon Britain.") and the details of her wedding, coronation, family life, etc.
But then I hit the last few chapters, and, as though I had hit a wall of words, my reading pace slowed. It seems that Mr. Lacey got bogged down (as I did) in too many details about political scenarios and economic changes: hypotheticals about what HM the Queen would have done had the Conservative/Labour/Liberal party gotten just a few more votes; the cost of the various accoutrements of royalty; and how to find the funds for the upkeep of royal residencies. I am easily seduced by majesty - such as, or perhaps most especially, by the type suggested in the title of the book - but I find little of the majestic in politics, or in economics. And this is most likely to my detriment, I am sure; however, the fact remains that I found the last sixth of the book tedious and, dare I say it, boring.
Even if it did include this wonderful gem: "When Britain wins a battle, remarked Winston Churchill, she shouts, 'God Save the Queen;' when she loses she votes down the Prime Minister. Was he too polite to add the Americans, deprived of this helpful distinction between patriotism and politics, have tended under stress to shoot their presidents?"
That cuttingly low blow, of course, notwithstanding, this is a marvellous book. Even more so if read as a companion to The Royal House of Windsor, for they share a similar dedication to depth and impartiality, as well as many of the same humorous anecdotes (which always made me smile, because I recognised them).
There is a rich vein of history, with extremely fascinating characters, to tap into here, and I am so glad that Mr. Lacey has chosen to do so.
And it is so well-done, because Mr. Lacey does not dispense his opinion, only information - and when he does pass judgment, it is in the guise of the personal feelings of those involved. So all that is required to make the book work for a reader is an emotional investment - one I surrendered most automatically, almost unwittingly, and discovering so at strange moments.
For example, recently (yesterday), my mother and I watched "The Iron Lady," with Meryl Streep, and one of the previews on the DVD was for a film by Madonna (?!) called, "W. E." It is a film about the romance between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson (apparently there's a line in the film about "telling the story from her point of view," which is baffling to me because she had already done that herself), the one which launched HM the Queen upon the path of the destiny chronicled so well and impartially by Mr. Lacey. As the trailer wore on, I sat there with my Anglophilic and Windsor-philic heart beating wildly with indignation, and suddenly (and to my disbelief) my mother remarked that she finds it an incredible romance, a wonderful and rare story in which the man stands by the woman no matter what. And I guess one could see it that way. But I can't get over how different the world would be if one man had not fallen irreparably in love with the wrong (married!) woman at a time when everything about that love was unsuitable.
So I guess reading this book really hits home just how a bizarre turn of fortune dictated the future of a girl, a family, and a nation. And that is so well done. As is the early part of Elizabeth II's reign, the little-known facts about the idiosyncrasies of being the Sovereign ("She could, in theory, declare was as Queen of Australia upon New Zealand, of which she is also Queen - or upon Britain.") and the details of her wedding, coronation, family life, etc.
But then I hit the last few chapters, and, as though I had hit a wall of words, my reading pace slowed. It seems that Mr. Lacey got bogged down (as I did) in too many details about political scenarios and economic changes: hypotheticals about what HM the Queen would have done had the Conservative/Labour/Liberal party gotten just a few more votes; the cost of the various accoutrements of royalty; and how to find the funds for the upkeep of royal residencies. I am easily seduced by majesty - such as, or perhaps most especially, by the type suggested in the title of the book - but I find little of the majestic in politics, or in economics. And this is most likely to my detriment, I am sure; however, the fact remains that I found the last sixth of the book tedious and, dare I say it, boring.
Even if it did include this wonderful gem: "When Britain wins a battle, remarked Winston Churchill, she shouts, 'God Save the Queen;' when she loses she votes down the Prime Minister. Was he too polite to add the Americans, deprived of this helpful distinction between patriotism and politics, have tended under stress to shoot their presidents?"
That cuttingly low blow, of course, notwithstanding, this is a marvellous book. Even more so if read as a companion to The Royal House of Windsor, for they share a similar dedication to depth and impartiality, as well as many of the same humorous anecdotes (which always made me smile, because I recognised them).
There is a rich vein of history, with extremely fascinating characters, to tap into here, and I am so glad that Mr. Lacey has chosen to do so.
October 6, 2023
Review:
More attention paid here to QEII's childhood and relationship with Princess Margaret than in Monarch. It was interesting to see how her parents and grandparents shaped her into the leader she became. Talked more about her marriage to Prince Phillip and the controversies surrounding that. I enjoyed the insights into his character.
Rating:
4 stars for content and writing. Would not read it again.
*Donated
More attention paid here to QEII's childhood and relationship with Princess Margaret than in Monarch. It was interesting to see how her parents and grandparents shaped her into the leader she became. Talked more about her marriage to Prince Phillip and the controversies surrounding that. I enjoyed the insights into his character.
Rating:
4 stars for content and writing. Would not read it again.
*Donated
July 21, 2016
Written in the 1970s, it is a very interesting read. Starting before Elizabeth II's birth and on through to the 1970s. From my understanding it isn't a authorized biography, but it does give a glimpse into her world. Based on reading, and interviews with people affiliated with the Royal world, it gives an idea of what her upbringing and life has been like.
Brought up with a firm education in England's history, the traditions of the Royal world and the duties expected of her position, you get the idea that it is not a world of leisure and ease. She really does work at what she does. She is well versed in the happenings of the government, the people and all that is entailed in being the Queen.
Childhood was not a fancy life but rather a life of duties, learning and understanding what would be expected of her. Education was a big factor in her life, as emphasized by her Grandmother and her parents. Early on she was introduced to what she would have to do when she became Queen. Reading all documents that are presented to her, so that she is aware of what all is going on. How to behave when in public or dealing with Parliament. Knowing that her duty is to serve and comply with what is expected of her.
In her personal life there is a glimpse of what she does enjoy, her dogs, horses, the country life of tweeds, wellingtons and being outdoors in any weather. Her parents may be Royals but they enjoyed a bit more realistic life rather than the over luxurious style.
There is plenty of bibliography, references and details to back up what the author writes, even if it is based on reading and conversations with those affiliated with the Royals. (Seems that there is to be no authorized biographies to be written until a Royal is dead and gone.) It does get a bit dry in the last couple of chapters, but over all an interesting read.
Brought up with a firm education in England's history, the traditions of the Royal world and the duties expected of her position, you get the idea that it is not a world of leisure and ease. She really does work at what she does. She is well versed in the happenings of the government, the people and all that is entailed in being the Queen.
Childhood was not a fancy life but rather a life of duties, learning and understanding what would be expected of her. Education was a big factor in her life, as emphasized by her Grandmother and her parents. Early on she was introduced to what she would have to do when she became Queen. Reading all documents that are presented to her, so that she is aware of what all is going on. How to behave when in public or dealing with Parliament. Knowing that her duty is to serve and comply with what is expected of her.
In her personal life there is a glimpse of what she does enjoy, her dogs, horses, the country life of tweeds, wellingtons and being outdoors in any weather. Her parents may be Royals but they enjoyed a bit more realistic life rather than the over luxurious style.
There is plenty of bibliography, references and details to back up what the author writes, even if it is based on reading and conversations with those affiliated with the Royals. (Seems that there is to be no authorized biographies to be written until a Royal is dead and gone.) It does get a bit dry in the last couple of chapters, but over all an interesting read.
December 23, 2017
This has been in my personal library for 39(!) years. Finally "got round to it" primarily because I watched 2 seasons of THE CROWN on Netflix.
The book is from 1976/77, so it doesn't cover the scandals of Fergie, Diana, all the divorces in the family. It was published to capitalize (mark) the 25 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign. I have read so many books on her uncle (Edward VII who became Duke of Windsor upon his abdication), and two books on Churchill this year, so much of the material was familiar and covered in more detail in other books. But I enjoyed the bits and pieces about Princess Margaret and Prince Phillip that I either didn't know or had forgotten.
My recommendation for fans of THE CROWN is to seek out a more recent book (or books) that would have more recent background or more revelations on the Windsors. There are many of them, to be sure. I may seek out a comprehensive biography on Prince Phillip, as his background is very complicated but fascinating. He was a Prince of Greece, but more Danish in blood, and two of his sisters married Nazis. Fascinating. He also didn't have a last name until the Queen made him a Mountbatten. Like I said ... fascinating.
The book is from 1976/77, so it doesn't cover the scandals of Fergie, Diana, all the divorces in the family. It was published to capitalize (mark) the 25 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign. I have read so many books on her uncle (Edward VII who became Duke of Windsor upon his abdication), and two books on Churchill this year, so much of the material was familiar and covered in more detail in other books. But I enjoyed the bits and pieces about Princess Margaret and Prince Phillip that I either didn't know or had forgotten.
My recommendation for fans of THE CROWN is to seek out a more recent book (or books) that would have more recent background or more revelations on the Windsors. There are many of them, to be sure. I may seek out a comprehensive biography on Prince Phillip, as his background is very complicated but fascinating. He was a Prince of Greece, but more Danish in blood, and two of his sisters married Nazis. Fascinating. He also didn't have a last name until the Queen made him a Mountbatten. Like I said ... fascinating.
July 25, 2011
Picked this up for free at Book Thing and thought it might satisfy my curiosity about the Royal Family and what they are actually for. I guess I understand it better now, but I still can't say that I understand their function, which is to say, I'm still not sure that I think it makes sense.
I suppose I can understand how it would be nice to have an institution that represents your country in a more constant way than the ever changing cast of politicians, but it seems like an awfully big expense for a little bit of psychic comfort.
Ah well, I will continue to scratch my head over the whole thing while holding a passing interest in the pomp and circumstance and distraction of such things as the Royal Wedding etc.
I suppose I can understand how it would be nice to have an institution that represents your country in a more constant way than the ever changing cast of politicians, but it seems like an awfully big expense for a little bit of psychic comfort.
Ah well, I will continue to scratch my head over the whole thing while holding a passing interest in the pomp and circumstance and distraction of such things as the Royal Wedding etc.
January 2, 2012
While I had a foggy notion of the ins and outs of the House of Windsor during the last century this book was able to clarify who was who. Very interesting after having watched The King's Speech as background.
Some interesting facts about the Royal Family and explanation as to how the constitutional monarchy works and has changed in the last century. This book was written in the late 70's so there are things that are not discussed (such as Margaret Thatcher's time as PM or princess Diana). There is talk about how the Monarchy has changed over the last century and how Britain's expectations have changed for their monarch.
Overall a good and educational read.
Some interesting facts about the Royal Family and explanation as to how the constitutional monarchy works and has changed in the last century. This book was written in the late 70's so there are things that are not discussed (such as Margaret Thatcher's time as PM or princess Diana). There is talk about how the Monarchy has changed over the last century and how Britain's expectations have changed for their monarch.
Overall a good and educational read.
May 12, 2008
I had read only a small part of this previously but recently read most of the book. The viewing of the Victoria and Albert DVD series plus seeing the PBS special on Elizabeth II's parents [Elizabeth and Bertie] was my motivation to 'connect' the royal families in my mind. I wasn't disappointed and enjoyed this personal and judicial biography.
April 8, 2012
I read this book to try to understand what makes this queen the way she is, how she was shaped and perhaps why her family is so hard to understand. There's a lot in this book to answer those questions, since it covers her childhood and coronation, along with the early years of raising her children.
June 21, 2024
2.25/5 | An interesting book about the reign of Elizabeth (until her 25 years mark I believe). Some chapters were more interesting than others, especially the beginning.
Whilst listening to the soundtracks of ‘The Crown’ it felt as if I was reading the series.
Whilst listening to the soundtracks of ‘The Crown’ it felt as if I was reading the series.
July 28, 2012
Excellent book! :-)
August 13, 2009
I bought this in England during the celebration of Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews