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The Faith of Queen Elizabeth: The Poise, Grace, and Quiet Strength Behind the Crown
Discover the inspiring spiritual legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Sharing a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the life of this notoriously private monarch, The Faith of Queen Elizabeth features intimate stories and inspiring reflections on the personal faith behind the Crown. An icon, matriarch, reformer, and the longest-reigning monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II intrigued millions around the world with her royal heritage, inspirational character, and profound faith, especially as depicted in award-winning films such as The Queen and the wildly popular Netflix series The Crown . But throughout all her trials and triumphs, Her Majesty credited her personal faith in Jesus Christ as the steadying anchor to her life and reign. In The Faith of Queen Elizabeth , Dudley Delffs unpacks the secret behind Her Majesty's personal devotion and public service, giving you a fuller, richer picture of the woman who led a nation with unwavering faith and resolve, teaching us how we can With testimonies from historic figures such as Winston Churchill, Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, and Margaret Thatcher, this magnificent tribute explores the faith of the world's most famous Queen--and the King she served. Praise for The Faith of Queen Elizabeth : "The faith of Her Majesty the Queen is the diamond in the forged under extreme pressure, a 'beacon of inspiration' the world over, reflecting the light of the Lord she serves. Delffs's book foregrounds this faith with fluency and an absorbing read." --Right Reverend Dr. Jill Duff, Bishop of Lancaster "This book is a wonderful tribute to the life of Queen Elizabeth II and to her devotion to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and the Church of England. It describes her clear and authentic Christian faith that has inspired me and many others in following Jesus's example." --Andrew R. Pratt, interfaith advisor to the Bishop of Blackburn
224 pages, Hardcover
Published December 3, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
February 19, 2020
If the author had left out the first part of the title (The Faith of Queen Elizabeth) and kept the second (The Poise, Grace, and Quiet Strength Behind the Crown), the book would better reflect its content. As it is, the effort to “prove” the queen’s faith is consistently disappointing, and oftentimes downright ludicrous. For example, quoting from speeches is scanty, whereas such dubious sources as Netflix’s “The Crown” (and other fictionalized sources, not to mention the opinions of random strangers) are given equal weight. (I have to think Her Majesty, were she to read this book, would get a chuckle out of the generous conclusions drawn.) In one instance when an actual speech is quoted, the author concludes that the queen has learned that “her steadfast faith in God will sustain her.” The speech SAID NOTHING OF THE KIND. Now, to be clear, I happen to believe Queen Elizabeth does have a strong faith, and I admire her. But I was hoping to find more of HER on these pages, and less of what the author interprets from her life and conduct, sometimes seeming to assign a faith motive simply because he believes it to be there.
I’m giving the book four stars because despite the disappointments, it is engaging, smoothly written, and contains enough royal scuttlebutt to keep an American admirer happy.
I’m giving the book four stars because despite the disappointments, it is engaging, smoothly written, and contains enough royal scuttlebutt to keep an American admirer happy.
November 2, 2019
Most of you know about my longstanding interest in the Royal Family. I wrote my high school senior comp paper on Charles and Diana’s “royal romance.” When Diana died, I had people calling me to see if *I* was okay. I’m also a devoted Christian.
So when I was offered a new book, “The Faith of Queen Elizabeth,” I was eager to accept. I’d love to know more about the Queen’s faith. She’s such a reserved person that it’s hard to tell much about her religious convictions.
I began the book and plowed into what I expected to be a chapter or two of introductory material. There were rehashes of many (to me) familiar royal events: the guy who broke into Buckingham Palace and sat on the Queen’s bed. The death of Lord Mountbatten. There were frequent references to specific episodes of “The Crown” and the movie “The Queen.” The author ended several chapters by approaching random people in London and asking them what they knew about the Queen’s faith. Not surprisingly, most had a cliche-type answer at best (“she practices what others preach”), and even one who had worked in the Palace admitted, “I couldn’t say.”
On and on I read, and yet I wasn’t finding much about the Queen’s faith. The author titles chapters “Service and Sacrifice,” “Conviction and Compromise,” and other character traits he sees in the Queen. I suppose these are supposed to be examples of her faith, yet this was far from what I was expecting. There were bits where the author compares Elizabeth with a Biblical character: “Her steely resolve calls to mind the fearlessness of David facing Goliath,” yet I wouldn’t really call these insights into her faith. Everyone shows positive character traits in life, even those with little personal faith. I was disappointed, and this reminded me quite a bit of a book I read fairly recently about the faith of Laura Ingalls Wilder — again, there was little shedding light on the actual topic there.
This book could be interesting for someone who has little knowledge of the royal family and would like a basic biography of the Queen. But if you’re looking for insights into Queen Elizabeth’s faith, I would look elsewhere. Another book I read recently, “Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage” had more information about her faith.
So when I was offered a new book, “The Faith of Queen Elizabeth,” I was eager to accept. I’d love to know more about the Queen’s faith. She’s such a reserved person that it’s hard to tell much about her religious convictions.
I began the book and plowed into what I expected to be a chapter or two of introductory material. There were rehashes of many (to me) familiar royal events: the guy who broke into Buckingham Palace and sat on the Queen’s bed. The death of Lord Mountbatten. There were frequent references to specific episodes of “The Crown” and the movie “The Queen.” The author ended several chapters by approaching random people in London and asking them what they knew about the Queen’s faith. Not surprisingly, most had a cliche-type answer at best (“she practices what others preach”), and even one who had worked in the Palace admitted, “I couldn’t say.”
On and on I read, and yet I wasn’t finding much about the Queen’s faith. The author titles chapters “Service and Sacrifice,” “Conviction and Compromise,” and other character traits he sees in the Queen. I suppose these are supposed to be examples of her faith, yet this was far from what I was expecting. There were bits where the author compares Elizabeth with a Biblical character: “Her steely resolve calls to mind the fearlessness of David facing Goliath,” yet I wouldn’t really call these insights into her faith. Everyone shows positive character traits in life, even those with little personal faith. I was disappointed, and this reminded me quite a bit of a book I read fairly recently about the faith of Laura Ingalls Wilder — again, there was little shedding light on the actual topic there.
This book could be interesting for someone who has little knowledge of the royal family and would like a basic biography of the Queen. But if you’re looking for insights into Queen Elizabeth’s faith, I would look elsewhere. Another book I read recently, “Philip and Elizabeth: Portrait of a Marriage” had more information about her faith.
May 4, 2020
After listening to this book I was even more impressed than ever by this remarkable woman. It is obvious by her life that she must be a follower of Jesus. It seems impossible that anyone would be able to do what this woman is doing without having the King of kings and Lord of lords by her side. It will be a sad day when the Queen of England passes away.
December 31, 2020
Rich in detail about the monarchy and the queen, this book points out different aspects of Queen Elizabeth's life and faith and uses those elements as examples for the individual faith of believers around the world. Though not as quick paced as Delffs' book about the faith of Dolly Parton, this is a rewarding read. I've always had much respect for the queen, and now even more than ever.
December 31, 2021
Yes. Well written. A genuine and respectful book about the faith of Queen Elizabeth II. A short history of some event's in the Queen's life that show her faith kept her steady. A different collection of views from an assortment of people mixed in with some pertinent Bible verses. Altogether an enjoyable Christmas read. Recommended.
November 14, 2019
Although I enjoyed the book, it really wasn't what the title would suggest it is.
If you want a brief overview of the 70 years of Elizabeth's reign and a little of the family history that led to her ascension to the throne, this book will give you that. If you want to learn about her faith, which is what the book is supposed to be about, there is very little of that in here.
The only real substance about her faith that is backed by facts is the snippets taken from some of her speeches, primarily the ones that she gives each Christmas. The rest of the evidence of her faith is based on supposition - she is an example of the Golden Rule, which comes from the Bible. She stands strong when she is in a tough position, like David before Goliath or Daniel in the lion's den, so she must have the same depth of faith that they did. I do believe that she is a Christian and tries to live out her faith, but this book does little to prove that, it just draws a faulty conclusion that the only way to perceive her actions is as those of someone of faith.
If you want a brief overview of the 70 years of Elizabeth's reign and a little of the family history that led to her ascension to the throne, this book will give you that. If you want to learn about her faith, which is what the book is supposed to be about, there is very little of that in here.
The only real substance about her faith that is backed by facts is the snippets taken from some of her speeches, primarily the ones that she gives each Christmas. The rest of the evidence of her faith is based on supposition - she is an example of the Golden Rule, which comes from the Bible. She stands strong when she is in a tough position, like David before Goliath or Daniel in the lion's den, so she must have the same depth of faith that they did. I do believe that she is a Christian and tries to live out her faith, but this book does little to prove that, it just draws a faulty conclusion that the only way to perceive her actions is as those of someone of faith.
January 8, 2020
“We are social creatures living in various intersecting networks of relationships. Even today most people still shape their personal faith and spirituality with input from others, especially authoritative figures...we still consider the ways we see other prominent people living their faith and allow them to influence our own spiritual life...they restore our hope and inspire us to become better people, drawing us back again and again to God’s grace, Christ’s love, and the Spirit’s presence in and among us...At the heart of looking at someone else’s faith, you often discover what it is that you yourself believe and how you also want to live out those beliefs.
“Believing in something greater than oneself is the only way to survive this life...We need hope in this world. We need faithful examples. We need strong leaders unafraid to show us how to persevere in the midst of life’s tragedies...As we grow older, well, one must choose, mustn’t one? How will we love those around us, the way Jesus showed us to love, and still carry on with whatever we’re called by duty to do? It requires suffering, doesn’t it...you accept life as a slow parade of losing those you hold most dear. Or you can retreat from life and withdraw to one’s own devices, but you miss the joy of the parade, then, don’t you?
“Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, Lilibet, Princess, Her Royal Highness, the Grace of God, the Queen of Great Britain and Head of the Commonwealth, Her Other Realms, and Territories. Defender of the Faith. Her Majesty...No matter her title or role, Queen Elizabeth II reflects the love of the King she serves.” “The world’s most famous woman,” serves as “an ambassador of cultural history and an emblem of national pride but also as a role model, philanthropist, iconic leader, and Christian.” Her Majesty “has much to teach us about living out our faith and following the example set by Jesus Christ.” Like biblical Queen Esther, Elizabeth also “accepted a call placed on her life at an early age...She navigated safe passage between the Scylla of duty and the Charybdis of desire. The only way to wear the royal grandeur of the monarchy was to remain clothed in her humanity. And her Christian faith remain the thread stitching person and personage, duty and desire, together.” In The Faith of Queen Elizabeth, Dudley Delffs shines a spotlight on the faith of Queen Elizabeth and explores what we can all learn from her example.
When a painting of the Queen was defaced by a smear of acrylic spray paint in 2013, the incident of vandalism seemed to serve as a metaphor for the life and reign of Her Majesty. Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth experienced criticism; however, she transformed faultfinders into constructive critics. She sought voice coaches and speechwriters to lower her voice and smooth her clipped accent and spoke on television even though she despised it. Her sister Princess Margaret’s entanglement in an affair with divorced officer Peter Townsend compelled the new queen to “navigate matters of the heart using the compass of the Church and uphold duty while bearing the criticism inflicted by a wounded sister.” In response to First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s snide remarks about her effectiveness (or lack thereof), the Queen seized the opportunity to address a Cold War crisis directly--the dancefloor with the Ghanaian President himself! Despite differences on sanctions and apartheid, the Queen apologized to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and awarded her both the Orders of the Garter and of Merit. The people’s Queen Elizabeth engaged the enormous outpouring of public grief at the passing of the “People’s Princess” Diana. Refined in the fire, her reign proved resilient and her character, “a patina of nostalgic appreciation and abiding gratitude.”
“Believing in something greater than oneself is the only way to survive this life...We need hope in this world. We need faithful examples. We need strong leaders unafraid to show us how to persevere in the midst of life’s tragedies...As we grow older, well, one must choose, mustn’t one? How will we love those around us, the way Jesus showed us to love, and still carry on with whatever we’re called by duty to do? It requires suffering, doesn’t it...you accept life as a slow parade of losing those you hold most dear. Or you can retreat from life and withdraw to one’s own devices, but you miss the joy of the parade, then, don’t you?
“Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, Lilibet, Princess, Her Royal Highness, the Grace of God, the Queen of Great Britain and Head of the Commonwealth, Her Other Realms, and Territories. Defender of the Faith. Her Majesty...No matter her title or role, Queen Elizabeth II reflects the love of the King she serves.” “The world’s most famous woman,” serves as “an ambassador of cultural history and an emblem of national pride but also as a role model, philanthropist, iconic leader, and Christian.” Her Majesty “has much to teach us about living out our faith and following the example set by Jesus Christ.” Like biblical Queen Esther, Elizabeth also “accepted a call placed on her life at an early age...She navigated safe passage between the Scylla of duty and the Charybdis of desire. The only way to wear the royal grandeur of the monarchy was to remain clothed in her humanity. And her Christian faith remain the thread stitching person and personage, duty and desire, together.” In The Faith of Queen Elizabeth, Dudley Delffs shines a spotlight on the faith of Queen Elizabeth and explores what we can all learn from her example.
When a painting of the Queen was defaced by a smear of acrylic spray paint in 2013, the incident of vandalism seemed to serve as a metaphor for the life and reign of Her Majesty. Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth experienced criticism; however, she transformed faultfinders into constructive critics. She sought voice coaches and speechwriters to lower her voice and smooth her clipped accent and spoke on television even though she despised it. Her sister Princess Margaret’s entanglement in an affair with divorced officer Peter Townsend compelled the new queen to “navigate matters of the heart using the compass of the Church and uphold duty while bearing the criticism inflicted by a wounded sister.” In response to First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s snide remarks about her effectiveness (or lack thereof), the Queen seized the opportunity to address a Cold War crisis directly--the dancefloor with the Ghanaian President himself! Despite differences on sanctions and apartheid, the Queen apologized to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and awarded her both the Orders of the Garter and of Merit. The people’s Queen Elizabeth engaged the enormous outpouring of public grief at the passing of the “People’s Princess” Diana. Refined in the fire, her reign proved resilient and her character, “a patina of nostalgic appreciation and abiding gratitude.”
February 22, 2024
I was hoping to get a story of the Queen that would be filled with more quotes and statements from her that make explicit her reliance on Jesus. While I have no grounds to doubt her personal faith, this book does barely nothing at emphasizing her faith in Jesus. Instead, I think this author simply emphasizes actions and then many times inserts his opinion as to what that action must have meant.
I also think his research must have been limited (using “The Crown” multiple times as a source).
I do not recommend.
I also think his research must have been limited (using “The Crown” multiple times as a source).
I do not recommend.
July 7, 2023
I was expecting the book to be a work based on interviews with Queen Elizabeth II and those close to her, but it was based on the author’s view from the late Queen’s public appearances and speeches. There were conversations with individuals who lived under her rule, but did not know her personally.
September 17, 2022
Just a wandering musing on the queen’s life. But there were interesting things I didn’t know.
April 21, 2021
The role of the Queen is clearly undergirded by her personal commitment to honour God through both sacrifice and service. The book gives good insight into her wisdom and humility in reflecting throughout on her belief that faith plays a key role in creating and sustaining communities throughout the commonwealth. It unpacks some of the role as head of the church of England but points to her personal spiritual journey as real and significant and the secret to her personal success. Always people above protocol... a true mark of Christian lifestyle - people matter. Her life has been marked by patience and perseverance - again her personal faith propelling her decisions and responsibilities as she continues to navigate the political, social, economic and cultural complexities of her reign. Clearly written, good historical evidence, engaging and easy to embrace storytelling style. A lot in addition to the faith aspect (but the faith journey is the part I was hoping would have something specifically new). Nevertheless, definitely worth the read and if you build on each 'faith' story, it comes together as a colourful tapestry.
December 19, 2019
The book just devolves into a fan letter about the Queen. Repeats the same stories about The Queen as popular tv shows and movies do. Very little is about religion.
The author had opportunity to explore the faith more deeply. The author states the Queens favourite hymns, psalms, parables, etc they could have explored why it may speak to the Queen or what those passages mean.
Instead it’s just over done stories like that of the Queen driving the Saudi Prince.
The personal stories at the end of each chapter were just pretentious and so self-absorbed!
It is such as basic telling, with no interesting or emotive chapters unless you have never heard of the Queen, the commonwealth, or watched any show or movie shouts either.
The author had opportunity to explore the faith more deeply. The author states the Queens favourite hymns, psalms, parables, etc they could have explored why it may speak to the Queen or what those passages mean.
Instead it’s just over done stories like that of the Queen driving the Saudi Prince.
The personal stories at the end of each chapter were just pretentious and so self-absorbed!
It is such as basic telling, with no interesting or emotive chapters unless you have never heard of the Queen, the commonwealth, or watched any show or movie shouts either.
July 4, 2025
I've long been inspired by Queen Elizabeth - her strength, her wit, her faith, her loyalty, her quiet leadership. To read this account of her life and the way she grew into her role over the seventy years she was queen only grew that. While I knew a lot of the history, this simple look behind the scenes was really fascinating. I'm even more grateful now for her years of service. Beautiful, informative, heartbreaking at times, but far more often inspiring, this is an account I'll not forget.
January 19, 2021
Beatiful subject, but the author was disappointing. When writing a research book, one should use better sources than movies and TV shows written about your subject. There has to be better books out there about Queen Elizabeth.
May 5, 2022
Love this book!
As a fan of Queen Elizabeth already, I was delighted to read more into the spiritual life of Her Majesty. This book shows how her faith is evident in every thought, action and decision considered by QEII. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a fan of Queen Elizabeth already, I was delighted to read more into the spiritual life of Her Majesty. This book shows how her faith is evident in every thought, action and decision considered by QEII. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 19, 2022
I picked up this book the week that Queen Elizabeth II died, as I, like so many others, admired her and wanted to spend some time reflecting on her life and legacy. I had high hopes that in reading this book I would be inspired by a deeper understanding of her personal faith in God. I’m sad to say, though, that I was a bit disappointed. Maybe it was my own expectation that was amiss, but I felt (and now feel affirmed as I read other reviews) that the title is a bit misleading. This book is a nice tribute to her by an author who clearly admires her, also. But it should be noted that the author, like me, is an American who had no direct access to Queen Elizabeth, or to anyone who knew her and seemed willing to openly share. There are many mentions and summaries of specific episodes of “The Crown” series and other films about her, perhaps to hook or orient an American audience unfamiliar with British royalty. It seems that is the intended audience, as most chapters consist of relatively well-known anecdotes from her life and those of the royal family. I appreciate the attempt of the author to include conversations with Brits to let them voice their own perspectives. The trouble is that many didn’t seem to be very keen to open up. I also appreciated the way the author connected the queen’s actions in different circumstances with what could be observed or interpreted to align with Biblical teaching. In fact, I wish there had been more of that type of analysis to substantiate the promise of the title. Overall, it is a nice tribute by a Christian who wanted to honor the queen, but it’s just a little less than I had hoped for.
August 23, 2022
Ever since I heard about it on the BBC's All Things Considered a few years ago, I've wanted to read The Servant Queen and the King She Serves. Unfortunately, it's very difficult to get. When I saw The Faith of Queen Elizabeth in my library's catalogue, I thought it would be a good substitute.
This book is a refreshingly positive read. It gives us a view of Queen Elizabeth II that we don't see in the media. I enjoyed learning how much she relies on Jesus Christ and her faith, and how she lives that faith and follows Christ's example in her life.
At times, though, Delffs spent more time speculating than I liked. Being a private person, the Queen doesn't reveal much about how she thinks. Whenever the author quoted the Queen and then said, "Surely she was thinking of this scripture..." I felt annoyed. Yes, the book teaches that she reads the Bible, but Delffs is not a mind-reader and shouldn't assume to know which verses inspire which statements. He also occasionally recounts scenes from the series The Crown, which is too fictional to be a reliable source. I wish the author had decided against taking these liberties.
Hopefully, I'll be able to get my hands on a copy of The Servant Queen after all.
This book is a refreshingly positive read. It gives us a view of Queen Elizabeth II that we don't see in the media. I enjoyed learning how much she relies on Jesus Christ and her faith, and how she lives that faith and follows Christ's example in her life.
At times, though, Delffs spent more time speculating than I liked. Being a private person, the Queen doesn't reveal much about how she thinks. Whenever the author quoted the Queen and then said, "Surely she was thinking of this scripture..." I felt annoyed. Yes, the book teaches that she reads the Bible, but Delffs is not a mind-reader and shouldn't assume to know which verses inspire which statements. He also occasionally recounts scenes from the series The Crown, which is too fictional to be a reliable source. I wish the author had decided against taking these liberties.
Hopefully, I'll be able to get my hands on a copy of The Servant Queen after all.
December 6, 2019
Beautiful! Inspiring!
The Faith of Queen Elizabeth: The Poise, Grace, and Quiet Strength Behind the Crown is a beautiful and inspiring look into the life of an amazing woman who exudes all the characteristics of an admired and honorable queen. I was wrapped up in the pages of this story as the author described the Queen’s life with such detail and insight that I felt like I personally knew her. She faced struggles, personally and professionally, but she responded to them with strength, courage, and grace, which was so refreshing. I loved reading about her passions in life, and there was an underlying theme of fearlessness and perseverance throughout the struggles she faced. As the title suggests, Queen Elizabeth II exhibited a lot of characteristics that all great leaders should possess (poise, grace, and strength). Specifically, I really enjoyed reading the parts about her faith, which were beautifully woven throughout the book, and how she relied on her faith throughout her life. “The only way to wear the royal grandeur of the monarchy was to remain clothed in her humanity. And her Christian faith remains the thread stitching person and personage, duty and desire, together (Delffs, 2019, p. 28).” I throughly enjoyed reading this book, and I will be sure to buy a few copies to share with my mother and grandmother, both women, whom like the Queen, I admire.
The Faith of Queen Elizabeth: The Poise, Grace, and Quiet Strength Behind the Crown is a beautiful and inspiring look into the life of an amazing woman who exudes all the characteristics of an admired and honorable queen. I was wrapped up in the pages of this story as the author described the Queen’s life with such detail and insight that I felt like I personally knew her. She faced struggles, personally and professionally, but she responded to them with strength, courage, and grace, which was so refreshing. I loved reading about her passions in life, and there was an underlying theme of fearlessness and perseverance throughout the struggles she faced. As the title suggests, Queen Elizabeth II exhibited a lot of characteristics that all great leaders should possess (poise, grace, and strength). Specifically, I really enjoyed reading the parts about her faith, which were beautifully woven throughout the book, and how she relied on her faith throughout her life. “The only way to wear the royal grandeur of the monarchy was to remain clothed in her humanity. And her Christian faith remains the thread stitching person and personage, duty and desire, together (Delffs, 2019, p. 28).” I throughly enjoyed reading this book, and I will be sure to buy a few copies to share with my mother and grandmother, both women, whom like the Queen, I admire.
December 24, 2021
A curious book that defied every kind of expectation.
If any reader came thinking there would be first-hand knowledge of Her Majesty, then this was far from the case. Yes, the book was about the Queen and her faith, yet that was filtered through both the public's perception of her and the author's meandering interactions with various members of the public.
There were intriguing tidbits. The responsibility of the Queen to lead and serve God's people precedes all other duties, as reflected in the first question of the Archbishop of Canterbury after the oath on Coronation Day: "Will you to the utmost of your powers maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel?" (p16f)
Her 1980 Christmas broadcast thanked people who made unselfish contributions to their communities, quoting Tennyson poem, Ring Out, Wild Bells.
Ring in the valiant man, and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand,
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be. (p149)
She was friends with Billy Graham. (p185)
In 1981, Christopher Lewis tried to assassinate the Queen while she was visiting Dunedin in NZ. (p119) Marcus Sarjeant fired at her (blanks as it later turned out) during a Trooping the Colours parade in the same year. (p116)
If any reader came thinking there would be first-hand knowledge of Her Majesty, then this was far from the case. Yes, the book was about the Queen and her faith, yet that was filtered through both the public's perception of her and the author's meandering interactions with various members of the public.
There were intriguing tidbits. The responsibility of the Queen to lead and serve God's people precedes all other duties, as reflected in the first question of the Archbishop of Canterbury after the oath on Coronation Day: "Will you to the utmost of your powers maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel?" (p16f)
Her 1980 Christmas broadcast thanked people who made unselfish contributions to their communities, quoting Tennyson poem, Ring Out, Wild Bells.
Ring in the valiant man, and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand,
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be. (p149)
She was friends with Billy Graham. (p185)
In 1981, Christopher Lewis tried to assassinate the Queen while she was visiting Dunedin in NZ. (p119) Marcus Sarjeant fired at her (blanks as it later turned out) during a Trooping the Colours parade in the same year. (p116)
March 16, 2024
This was not a bad book, but I wish I had read others' reviews first. Most of what was in the book was information I had already read from other sources or things commonly known about the Queen. Sources the author used were odd, ranging from fictionalized accounts such as Netflix's "The Crown," to opinions of random UK residents the author encountered. The opinions were interesting to read, but seemed strange choices given that none of those folks were actually acquaintances of any kind of the Queen. Still, this is not necessarily a dealbreaker had the book not been titled "The Faith of Queen Elizabeth." Had this been just a book about the Queen, the writing and opinions are interesting enough to make for a pleasant read. I just expected something of more substance based on the title.
The book mentioned another book, "The Servant Queen and the King She Serves." The author shared the Queen contributed somewhat to this book herself. It may be more substantive as to her faith and how it has informed her life and reign.
The book mentioned another book, "The Servant Queen and the King She Serves." The author shared the Queen contributed somewhat to this book herself. It may be more substantive as to her faith and how it has informed her life and reign.
May 5, 2021
If you are already an admirer of the Queen, don’t bother with this book. There’ll be nothing new in it. It might be a enjoyable book for someone who knows absolutely nothing about the Queen. But I don’t think it lives up to what the title implies at all. It’s really just a tribute to her character. Unfortunately the title misled me to believe it was written by someone who has special inside knowledge of her faith. But when you read it you find out the author doesn’t actually know any more than your average royal fan, and the stories of people he interacted with in the UK were not unique or special at all unless you are from outside the Commonwealth and have never heard people discussing the Queen before. I did also feel those anecdotes came across rather pretentious as another reviewer said. I felt weirdly awkward reading them, and it really turned me off the book, it was a struggle to finish it. In hindsight I wouldn’t have bought this book.
September 16, 2021
Firstly, this has been written for an American audience (of which I am not) and I found the constant comparisons between America and the UK, bland and pointless. Like others, I was expecting this to be about the faith of the Queen, however it read much more like a brief biography, where some examples were drawn on to almost prove the faith of the Queen. Unfortunately I didn't learn anything new from this book. The author chose to finish each chapter with with a story about someone he encountered during his time in the UK while researching the book. I wasn't sure why, however, as they did nothing to add to the content of the book and they went on into unnecessary detail. The author is an excellent writer and the book is well written, and easy to read, and the research the author put in manages to shine through, however I feel the title of the book is rather misleading of the actual content.
December 30, 2019
This wasn't exactly what I thought it would be, which made it a bit disappointing. More of the book was about events and the outward reactions by the Queen, than about her personal faith. It can also be difficult to follow because the events are included according to chapter theme, rather than being chronological, and even with in chapters it jumps back and forth between decades.
Yes, our faith is a private thing between us and God, and Queen Elizabeth II is entitled to her privacy as well; but there is also a public element of our faith which is for the world to see - this was not always made clear in this book.
I did learn a few things about historical events, but that wasn't my purpose in reading this. I really wanted to know about what the Queen actually believes and to see how that plays out in her life.
Yes, our faith is a private thing between us and God, and Queen Elizabeth II is entitled to her privacy as well; but there is also a public element of our faith which is for the world to see - this was not always made clear in this book.
I did learn a few things about historical events, but that wasn't my purpose in reading this. I really wanted to know about what the Queen actually believes and to see how that plays out in her life.
September 18, 2023
I characterize this book as brief biography of Queen Elizabeth with special attention to her faith as she lived it, rather than a study focusing on her faith. It describes significant episodes in her life, including her initiatives to achieve Commonwealth unity, the service of the royal yacht “Britannia” and Commonwealth Head of Governments meetings. The Queen’s ability engage anyone, make a connection that made them feel important, then move on was a valuable skill of hers. Interspersed throughout this life story are examples in which the Queen was driven by her faith or provided an example for her people.
I found this book to be a quick read that illustrates high points of Elizabeth’s life and service and conveys a deeply religious Christian monarch/ I recommend it to readers seeking another perspective on Queen Elizabeth’s life.
I found this book to be a quick read that illustrates high points of Elizabeth’s life and service and conveys a deeply religious Christian monarch/ I recommend it to readers seeking another perspective on Queen Elizabeth’s life.
March 20, 2024
If you loved the Queen, and understand what it means to follow Christ with your whole life, you will find many things to admire and consider as you read this book.
It is perhaps a little dry, as I was hoping for more personal reflections from specific events in Elizabeth’s life. However, as I read, I realized that her role as Queen didn’t allow her to speak of personal matters much. Only as she reflected on life in her Christmas addresses, in ceremonies such as her Coronation, and as she interacted on a personal level with those whom she came into contact, does she actually speak of her devotion and love for Christ and His Word, which she read daily.
The author used a less personal approach to telling this story, so that is the reason for 4 not 5 stars. He never actually interviewed her, just organized the stories and events to convey her faith.
It is perhaps a little dry, as I was hoping for more personal reflections from specific events in Elizabeth’s life. However, as I read, I realized that her role as Queen didn’t allow her to speak of personal matters much. Only as she reflected on life in her Christmas addresses, in ceremonies such as her Coronation, and as she interacted on a personal level with those whom she came into contact, does she actually speak of her devotion and love for Christ and His Word, which she read daily.
The author used a less personal approach to telling this story, so that is the reason for 4 not 5 stars. He never actually interviewed her, just organized the stories and events to convey her faith.
December 2, 2019
Being from America, I really do not know much about Queen Elizabeth, or the Royal Family as a whole. So, I was happy to get a chance to read this book by Dudley Delffs. I so enjoyed learning more about her becoming Queen and the over 50 years that she has reigned. I feel like I know her so much better than before and find her fascinating. The author a few times mentioned the Netflix series The Crown, so of course I had to start watching it as a result of having a desire to learn more. I loved that this was not just an biography, but focused on her Faith, which I do not think comes up often in the media, but which seems so important to her.
Whether you already know a lot about her or not, I highly recommend this book.
Whether you already know a lot about her or not, I highly recommend this book.
December 29, 2019
If you are thinking of reading this to get any extra understanding of the faith of the Queen don't bother. The historical information that he uses is fiction, quoting Netflix The Crown and the film The Queen as well as "The Kings speech". Even more bizarrely using a fictitious novel called "Mrs Queen takes the train" as if it contains some insight to the thoughts of the Queen. The personal interviews are equally as strange. Oddly I don't need to know that Gemma, a student how has had nothing to offer to this subject, is wearing jeans and a sweater and the Dudley had a nice breakfast served to him prior to his supposed interview. Find some copies of the Queens Christmas speeches to read as that will give you far more to consider.
December 31, 2022
I had high expectations, but I’m conflicted about this one. While I enjoyed reading it for the most part, I don’t think it really said much about the faith of Queen Elizabeth II beyond some vague assumptions made about it by the author and a few Bible verses thrown in as the author saw fit. I’ve loved watching The Crown on Netflix and was hoping for a book to dive a little deeper into the Queen’s life and faith, but this book actually referenced episodes of the Netflix series as sources of information several times. I’m still giving the book three stars—it was interesting by default because the Queen herself is always interesting to learn about, but I’ll be looking for another biography to read about her life.
December 29, 2019
I hate to say it, but this was a “meh” read for me. If you have watched the Crown and done a little Google search, you’ve read this book. It’s a recap of her life and how the author believes the Queen operated in faith in certain situations. There were a few things I learned about her, but it was largely a so so read. The story drug along and jumped around. It’s like a fan letter with people the author ran into that knew the Queen. He did not speak to her. The closest he got was thinking he saw her majesty along a trail once. The book lacked depth. It’s sad to me because her faith seems to be a driving force in her decisions.
March 22, 2022
Written by an American who does not know some of the finer details of the Monarchy and made mistakes from the first page onwards - I found myself laughing throughout because of this and the fact that he asked opinions of people who had none and then wasted pages of the book telling us this.
The description of the 'older lady' (at least 50, my goodness) dressed in cardigan and pearls was especially amusing. The descriptions of young girls he met including what they wore seemed very sleazy and totally unrelated to the theme of the book.
I am sorry but I just could not find anything about Her Majesty's faith in this book.
The description of the 'older lady' (at least 50, my goodness) dressed in cardigan and pearls was especially amusing. The descriptions of young girls he met including what they wore seemed very sleazy and totally unrelated to the theme of the book.
I am sorry but I just could not find anything about Her Majesty's faith in this book.
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