Book

The Queen's Marriage

📖 Overview

The Queen's Marriage examines the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, drawing from interviews and historical records to present an account of their seven-decade union. Lady Colin Campbell provides perspectives on both the public and private dimensions of this royal partnership. The book traces key moments from their early courtship through their years together as sovereign and consort. Their evolving roles, challenges, and triumphs within the monarchy are explored against the backdrop of significant historical events and changes in British society. The narrative incorporates details about family dynamics, protocol, and the intersection of duty with personal life in the royal household. Campbell's access to royal insiders and her research inform her portrayal of this central royal relationship. The work offers commentary on marriage, power, and adaptation within the constraints of constitutional monarchy. Through the lens of Elizabeth and Philip's union, broader themes emerge about the evolution of both the British crown and societal attitudes toward marriage in the 20th and 21st centuries.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe this unauthorized biography as sensationalistic and gossipy, with many questioning the credibility of the anonymous sources cited. Positive reviews note the author's insider knowledge of royal protocols and social circles. Several readers found value in the behind-the-scenes details about royal household dynamics. Some appreciated Lady Colin Campbell's direct writing style and willingness to tackle controversial topics. Critical reviews focus on the lack of verifiable sources, with many calling the content "tabloid-level speculation." Multiple readers pointed out factual errors and inconsistencies. Common complaints include repetitive writing and poor editing. Ratings: Amazon: 3.4/5 from 89 reviews Goodreads: 3.3/5 from 57 ratings "More fiction than fact" - Amazon reviewer "Reads like a gossip column" - Goodreads reviewer "The author makes bold claims without evidence" - Goodreads reviewer "Some interesting insights but too much speculation" - Amazon reviewer

📚 Similar books

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith This biography delves into Queen Elizabeth II's relationships and marriage through interviews with palace insiders and royal staff members.

My Husband and I: The Inside Story of 70 Years of the Royal Marriage by Ingrid Seward The book chronicles the marriage of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip through accounts from their inner circle and previously unpublished sources.

The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown This investigation into Princess Diana's life includes insights into her marriage to Prince Charles and her relationship with the royal family.

The Other Side of the Coin: The Queen, the Dresser and the Wardrobe by Angela Kelly The personal memoir from Queen Elizabeth II's dresser reveals intimate details about life within the royal household and the Queen's private world.

The Final Curtsey: A Royal Memoir by Margaret Rhodes The Queen's first cousin shares first-hand accounts of the royal family's private life and relationships throughout the decades.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔹 Lady Colin Campbell, who wrote the book, was briefly married to Lord Colin Campbell (the younger son of the 11th Duke of Argyll) in 1974, and although the marriage lasted only nine months, she retained the title and name. 🔹 The book delves into the complex dynamics between Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, including the unconventional decision to allow Philip to remain a Greek prince after marriage until 1957, when he was made a British prince. 🔹 The author claims in the book that Prince Philip's nickname for Queen Elizabeth was "Cabbage," derived from the French term of endearment "mon petit chou" (my little cabbage). 🔹 Published in 2018, the book explores how the Queen and Prince Philip's marriage evolved from a love match to a successful working partnership that lasted over 70 years, making it the longest royal marriage in British history. 🔹 Lady Colin Campbell previously wrote a bestselling biography of Princess Diana, "Diana in Private" (1992), which was one of the first books to reveal the princess's struggles with bulimia and her affair with James Hewitt.