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Elizabeth: A Celebration in Photographs of the Queen's Life and Reign
Completely updated to include all the Jubilee proceedings, this authoritative photographic history covers the Queen's reign On February 6, 1952, Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, became Queen on the death of her father, King George VI. The reign that was to see major changes both in the country and Commonwealth and in the role of the monarchy began far away from Britain in a game reserve in Kenya. This book chronicles this remarkable period in the history of Britain's monarchy in lavish and fascinating detail. The Queen has been constantly under scrutiny ever since she took the throne, and this book presents a balanced and absorbing account of her life and of her role as the head of state in a country and a world that have changed almost beyond recognition in the 60 years since she inherited the throne.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 19, 2025
I have never been happier with a book I borrowed from the library on impulse. This isn’t just a collection of photos of Queen Elizabeth II; it's also a set of photos accompanied by a brief, decade-by-decade explanation of her reign, written by a former royal correspondent who has developed strong ties to the Palace over years of work. This means they can access and attend many royal events. Think of them as the press pool.
I wish this were a more updated book. This ends in January 2020 with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping down from royal duties. Thank God for the family tree, I really wanted to know what the connections to the Queen some people had. It made me recognise the scale of the family (yeah, I know) and I really did need to know those connections. Especially given the number of royal births in one year, four in 1964, and the various marital and biological connections.
There were some photos in here I didn’t know existed, and some thoughts that I think need to be shared. I’m going to list them here as best I can because I think it’s all I can do to review the book.
• On board HMS Vanguard on a family trip to South Africa in 1947, organised by George VI to distract her from Phillip. She looks so young, playful and every inch the 26-year-old she was.
• The Coronation photo. It is an astounding list of people; seeing them all listed here is great too. The only one I needed to look up in the spectacular family tree was the Princess Royal, at this point, it was Mary, George VI’s younger sister.
• I would love to know the colours involved when Marilyn Monroe met Queen Elizabeth in 1956. Monroe was in London to make The Prince and the Showgirl. They both look stunning.
• I had no idea there were any photos of Wallis Simpson and the Queen at all. Wallis was allowed into the fold for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the cenetery of the birth of the Queen Mother in June 1967. It’s a very royal photo, everyone playing their role.
• Princess Anne’s wedding dress when she married Captain Mark Phillips was gorgeous. It is quite 70s but lovely. I find it noteworthy that Elizabeth is wearing blue, the colour that Princess Anne is often shown wearing in the book.
• You can see how the events of 9/11 weighed on the Queen in the photo taken of her at the memorial service a few days later. I like that it was included. There was a quote associated with 9/11 that made me appreciate the scale of that event even more. “She told one bereaved woman that she had never seen anything so shocking in her life. Coming from someone who had survived the Blitz, her words were meaningful indeed.”
• I adore the photo of Postman Pat with Elizabeth, her smile is contagious.
• I love the family photo from Prince William and Princess Kate’s wedding, so many smiles. And I love her dress.
• There is a gorgeous photo of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Kate full of laughter and genuine smiles. Honestly, it is one of my fave photos in the book.
I wish this were a more updated book. This ends in January 2020 with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex stepping down from royal duties. Thank God for the family tree, I really wanted to know what the connections to the Queen some people had. It made me recognise the scale of the family (yeah, I know) and I really did need to know those connections. Especially given the number of royal births in one year, four in 1964, and the various marital and biological connections.
There were some photos in here I didn’t know existed, and some thoughts that I think need to be shared. I’m going to list them here as best I can because I think it’s all I can do to review the book.
• On board HMS Vanguard on a family trip to South Africa in 1947, organised by George VI to distract her from Phillip. She looks so young, playful and every inch the 26-year-old she was.
• The Coronation photo. It is an astounding list of people; seeing them all listed here is great too. The only one I needed to look up in the spectacular family tree was the Princess Royal, at this point, it was Mary, George VI’s younger sister.
• I would love to know the colours involved when Marilyn Monroe met Queen Elizabeth in 1956. Monroe was in London to make The Prince and the Showgirl. They both look stunning.
• I had no idea there were any photos of Wallis Simpson and the Queen at all. Wallis was allowed into the fold for the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the cenetery of the birth of the Queen Mother in June 1967. It’s a very royal photo, everyone playing their role.
• Princess Anne’s wedding dress when she married Captain Mark Phillips was gorgeous. It is quite 70s but lovely. I find it noteworthy that Elizabeth is wearing blue, the colour that Princess Anne is often shown wearing in the book.
• You can see how the events of 9/11 weighed on the Queen in the photo taken of her at the memorial service a few days later. I like that it was included. There was a quote associated with 9/11 that made me appreciate the scale of that event even more. “She told one bereaved woman that she had never seen anything so shocking in her life. Coming from someone who had survived the Blitz, her words were meaningful indeed.”
• I adore the photo of Postman Pat with Elizabeth, her smile is contagious.
• I love the family photo from Prince William and Princess Kate’s wedding, so many smiles. And I love her dress.
• There is a gorgeous photo of Queen Elizabeth and Princess Kate full of laughter and genuine smiles. Honestly, it is one of my fave photos in the book.
September 9, 2022
Read this the day after the queen's passing. Up to date till January 2020 currently. Lovely look at the life of a woman whos passing is seen as the end of an important era for the UK, Britain & the world.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews