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Lilibet: The Girl Who Would be Queen
A celebration of the life of Queen Elizabeth II, showing us that the Queen's qualities of duty, self-sacrifice and love of country were present in her from an early age.
The moments in life of "knowing". On Bognor Beach, with Grandpa England , she had "known" that he, and Papa, and she, would carry something on, something given, something bigger than themselves.
Lilibet: a carefree child, a lover of horses and dogs, devoted to her family. And the girl who would be Queen.
A.N. Wilson, one of England's most beloved writers, imagines the Queen reflecting on her early life. We watch as she discovers, at the tender age of ten, that she is heir to the throne. We witness her meet the dashing Prince Phillip of Greece, who she loved steadfastly from the age of fifteen, and see their friendship blossom into passionate love. Above all, we learn of her astonishing sense of vocation and public duty, which grew during the dark years of WWII and her father's subsequent years of ill health.
Honouring the life of Her Majesty the Queen and her illustrious reign, Lilibet: The Girl Who Would be Queen is by turns funny, tender and heartfelt.
The moments in life of "knowing". On Bognor Beach, with Grandpa England , she had "known" that he, and Papa, and she, would carry something on, something given, something bigger than themselves.
Lilibet: a carefree child, a lover of horses and dogs, devoted to her family. And the girl who would be Queen.
A.N. Wilson, one of England's most beloved writers, imagines the Queen reflecting on her early life. We watch as she discovers, at the tender age of ten, that she is heir to the throne. We witness her meet the dashing Prince Phillip of Greece, who she loved steadfastly from the age of fifteen, and see their friendship blossom into passionate love. Above all, we learn of her astonishing sense of vocation and public duty, which grew during the dark years of WWII and her father's subsequent years of ill health.
Honouring the life of Her Majesty the Queen and her illustrious reign, Lilibet: The Girl Who Would be Queen is by turns funny, tender and heartfelt.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
99 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2022
8 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
A.N. Wilson
117 books242 followersAndrew Norman Wilson is an English writer and newspaper columnist, known for his critical biographies, novels, works of popular history and religious views. He is an occasional columnist for the Daily Mail and former columnist for the London Evening Standard, and has been an occasional contributor to the Times Literary Supplement, New Statesman, The Spectator and The Observer.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 9, 2023
I loved watching the series, Crown. I seriously never would read a book about ‘Royal Family’ Our Queen, for so long in our lives. This book is a short story is called ‘Liliabet: The girl who would be Queen’ written by A.N. Wilson. This hardcover is very cute and brilliant illustration who did this. This book is good for the young and adult readers who would be interested to read the highlights of her life. I thoroughly enjoyed the Queen earlier life. I must say, she had an extraordinary life. What highlights we didn’t know is not the same story in the series of Crown. At the age of 10, she knew she would be the Queen someday? Why? Who was under her influence? And at the age of 13, she knew Prince Phillip, would be the love of her life? How they two meet? As a result, you can decide?
June 27, 2022
I bought this in commemoration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, and expected it to be somewhat of a charming children's book with illustrations - but it turned out to be so much more! Written as a dreamlike time travel through the Queen's memories on the eve of her jubilee celebration, there is quite a bit of history packed into a digestible and creative format. I was rather surprised by the tone and style, and felt that while children can enjoy it, it is a book meant for anyone that admires the Queen and has an interest in her exceptional life story - which in this book, covers childhood to coronation.
May 26, 2022
Seeing as we’re celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this weekend, I thought it only appropriate that I read this little gem. It’s a short book but filled with love, reflection and pride over the longest reigning monarch of our time and the illustrations throughout are beautiful. Whatever you feel about the Royal Family, the Queen’s devotion to her duty and to her people around the world is undeniable. She is a figure to be celebrated and one who has stood the test of time, and I will be very happy and proud to read this little story to my little one when he’s old enough to understand the incredible journey of the monarch who was on the throne when he was born. Happy Jubilee Queenie!
August 5, 2022
Reflections and lessons learned:
“All over the world, and especially in the countries of the commonwealth…people are reflecting: not on a doctrine or a regime, but on a person, and what she is, and has been, what she stands for, and what she has done…”
Not a lifestyle that I can directly relate to (we had to let the footmen go very early on…), but a reminder of what The Queen has lived through - what made her the person that she’s had to be, but how she was already of this nature, and understood the largely inescapable life assigned assignment. Austerely delivered, but it couldn’t really not be considering! Whatever your opinion of the concept, the individual in this story is quite amazing
“All over the world, and especially in the countries of the commonwealth…people are reflecting: not on a doctrine or a regime, but on a person, and what she is, and has been, what she stands for, and what she has done…”
Not a lifestyle that I can directly relate to (we had to let the footmen go very early on…), but a reminder of what The Queen has lived through - what made her the person that she’s had to be, but how she was already of this nature, and understood the largely inescapable life assigned assignment. Austerely delivered, but it couldn’t really not be considering! Whatever your opinion of the concept, the individual in this story is quite amazing
June 30, 2022
Well, I don’t really know how to describe this book so I give it a try.
It is very well written and pleasant to read. The semi imaginative atmosphere where the story line happens is warm and personal. It is full of small intimate details of queen Elizabeth’s life that after publication of many books that include those details, are not secrets any more but still paint a very humane and private picture of the queen.
We have to consider the fact that this is a very short book so the gaps of story that happen between the chapters are understandable and for any one who knows a bit about the royal family, not hard to follow.
The overall warm sensation of a reliable close-knit family, tradition, a good childhood with fond memories etc, continues to wrap you in a fuzzy warm blanket o feelings trough out the book.
Now, if you are not a hardcore royalist or don’t believe in the solemn right of one person inheriting great wealth, power and status through birth, I recommend that you keep a very open mind if you decide to read this book.
I mean for the rest of us non-believers, it is obvious how outdated this concept is but let’s just look at this from an unbiased perspective and also keep in mind that these are people just like us again with the difference of having absurd wealth and power etc.
I was still shocked by how detached from reality the queen and the rest of royal family are, if we now consider these words to be actually true. The author confirms that the conversations and events are based on documentation and are historically accurate but at the same time this a work of imagination. A bit confusing.
So let’s look at some examples:
- Prince Philip complains about looking forward to three weeks of cutting ribbons and shaking hands ahead of their Australian tour. Well, this is the least amount of work that anyone can do considering the huge expense they have for taxpayers so… and do they really have any understanding of what work is? Omg! I feel like this doesn’t even scratch the surface of how detached from reality these people are.
- At least twice Throughout the book it is mentioned how horribly cold and distant Queen Elizabeth ‘s relationship with her children is. Well, most of us know about that but it is still shocking and confusing how they think this is OK and that the papers made such a fuss about it.
When the kids are sent away to Sandringham on Christmas or that the queen and prince Philip missed their firstborn’s third birthday because of being on tour in USA or the fact that the queen couldn’t avoid emotional tantrums of a teenage Princess Anne, the same way other so-called families deal with these kind of situations, by sending the teenagers away to boarding schools. Do we need to wonder why these people are so cold and distance and detached from reality with this kind of upbringing?
I hope that the younger generations of the Royal family have started to change that as it seems from outside but we can never be sure.
So I recommend reading this book but as I mentioned before keep a very open mind. You’re in for a treat.
It is very well written and pleasant to read. The semi imaginative atmosphere where the story line happens is warm and personal. It is full of small intimate details of queen Elizabeth’s life that after publication of many books that include those details, are not secrets any more but still paint a very humane and private picture of the queen.
We have to consider the fact that this is a very short book so the gaps of story that happen between the chapters are understandable and for any one who knows a bit about the royal family, not hard to follow.
The overall warm sensation of a reliable close-knit family, tradition, a good childhood with fond memories etc, continues to wrap you in a fuzzy warm blanket o feelings trough out the book.
Now, if you are not a hardcore royalist or don’t believe in the solemn right of one person inheriting great wealth, power and status through birth, I recommend that you keep a very open mind if you decide to read this book.
I mean for the rest of us non-believers, it is obvious how outdated this concept is but let’s just look at this from an unbiased perspective and also keep in mind that these are people just like us again with the difference of having absurd wealth and power etc.
I was still shocked by how detached from reality the queen and the rest of royal family are, if we now consider these words to be actually true. The author confirms that the conversations and events are based on documentation and are historically accurate but at the same time this a work of imagination. A bit confusing.
So let’s look at some examples:
- Prince Philip complains about looking forward to three weeks of cutting ribbons and shaking hands ahead of their Australian tour. Well, this is the least amount of work that anyone can do considering the huge expense they have for taxpayers so… and do they really have any understanding of what work is? Omg! I feel like this doesn’t even scratch the surface of how detached from reality these people are.
- At least twice Throughout the book it is mentioned how horribly cold and distant Queen Elizabeth ‘s relationship with her children is. Well, most of us know about that but it is still shocking and confusing how they think this is OK and that the papers made such a fuss about it.
When the kids are sent away to Sandringham on Christmas or that the queen and prince Philip missed their firstborn’s third birthday because of being on tour in USA or the fact that the queen couldn’t avoid emotional tantrums of a teenage Princess Anne, the same way other so-called families deal with these kind of situations, by sending the teenagers away to boarding schools. Do we need to wonder why these people are so cold and distance and detached from reality with this kind of upbringing?
I hope that the younger generations of the Royal family have started to change that as it seems from outside but we can never be sure.
So I recommend reading this book but as I mentioned before keep a very open mind. You’re in for a treat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2023
I finished this grand biography in just a few hours. It was a great memento to keep, to remember the Queen's Platinum Jubilee in the future, which was just the weekend when I was reading this.
Although it was within the imagination, the story was based off real events that happened to Queen Elizabeth from her birth up until 2022 - 70 years on the throne.
It was extremely interesting, fascinating learning about HRH - including her bond with her grandfather, where she was when she became Queen, her first interactions with Prince Philip, and is much more.
I'm very intriuged about the Royal Family, so this was a perfect read and very joyful to be absorbed in. It reiterates the fact that the Royal Family are all normal just like us, yet born with the gigantic pressure on them to serve the nation, and the duty they have to deliver. Queen Elizabeth has done this with all of her power and determination.
She is a true, humble inspiration, and a lovely down to earth individual too.
Although it was within the imagination, the story was based off real events that happened to Queen Elizabeth from her birth up until 2022 - 70 years on the throne.
It was extremely interesting, fascinating learning about HRH - including her bond with her grandfather, where she was when she became Queen, her first interactions with Prince Philip, and is much more.
I'm very intriuged about the Royal Family, so this was a perfect read and very joyful to be absorbed in. It reiterates the fact that the Royal Family are all normal just like us, yet born with the gigantic pressure on them to serve the nation, and the duty they have to deliver. Queen Elizabeth has done this with all of her power and determination.
She is a true, humble inspiration, and a lovely down to earth individual too.
September 24, 2022
This little book was issued to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. I had borrowed its audiobook and after listening bought its illustrated hardback as it seemed such a moving tribute to her life.
In the book on the eve of her jubilee Her Majesty looks back on her childhood and the years before her Ascension. She receives visits from those she has loved who had preceded her onto the next great adventure. It brought a tear to my eye as it turned out to be quite prescient.
The illustrations by Alexis Bruchon were lovely.
In the book on the eve of her jubilee Her Majesty looks back on her childhood and the years before her Ascension. She receives visits from those she has loved who had preceded her onto the next great adventure. It brought a tear to my eye as it turned out to be quite prescient.
The illustrations by Alexis Bruchon were lovely.
March 7, 2024
This short story is a lovely homage to the late queen. I have always been a fan of Queen Elizabeth, despite being irish, and not remotely a royalist. I always admired her humanity, loyalty and sense of duty, but I think my affection mainly stems from the fact that she was born just a few days before my own mother, so they are forever connected in my mind. I really enjoyed the style of writing in this book, the dreamlike quality of it helps to lift it out of biography type territory. A truly lovely book.
March 12, 2023
What a cute little read this was. This book was published in celebration of the Queen’s Jubilee. I found it quite delightful and interesting to read about her early life, from her childhood through to her coronation and more. I always admired the Queen and miss her. Her Majesty was a fantastic monarch and I recommend this to anyone with any interest in the Royal Family. The illustrations were beautiful, too.
January 28, 2024
I was looking forward to reading this book about the queen as am so fascinated by her and her life but sadly this book feel flat for me I didn’t really like the way the book was writing or told. I really liked the illustration in this book and I loved reading about the queen and her family I just think I wanted more from this book but we didn’t get that and we didn’t get much about the queen it was more about her family and not her life. May she Rest In Peace the queen 👑 xx
November 16, 2022
An amazing book charting the early life of the late Queen. Reading this less than two months after Her Majesty's passing, the book became all the more poignant. Despite this being a fictionalised account, it was lovely to see how the young princess interacted with those in her life, especially Grandpa England, the nickname given to King George V, the princess's grandfather who seems to have adored his granddaughter.
A wonderful fictionalised biography of the Queen's early years until her accession in 1952, a part of Her Majesty’s life which hasn't seen much coverage.
A wonderful fictionalised biography of the Queen's early years until her accession in 1952, a part of Her Majesty’s life which hasn't seen much coverage.
November 2, 2022
This was brilliant. There was a lilting beauty to how A.N Wilson wrote this short biography of the late Queen from her birth to her accession after the death of her father. I borrowed this from the library as an e-book but will be definitely tracking down a physical copy. Utterly outstanding.
September 20, 2022
Listened t on Borrow Box
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December 8, 2022I learned of this book via this post: https://messybaker.wordpress.com/2022...
January 5, 2023
Read via audiobook! Brilliant. Well written.
July 25, 2023
Very sweet little book that I read as a filler, perfect for the royalist in me!
March 31, 2024
A delightful read.
May 17, 2024
A delightful tribute to the late Queen.
September 8, 2024
Today marks 2 years from losing Queen Elizabeth II. This means this has been on my tbr pile for 2 years. Oops! This was a beautiful partly illustrated short book spanning her majesty's incredible life. The part that stood out to me was her relationship with her Grandpa when she was a little girl. There's so much to say about her time as a monarch, but this did a great job at summarising each milestone in her life. It reminded the reader that despite all of the royal duties, she was deep down a little girl who loved her family, her dogs, and of course, her country and religion too. It's worth a read for any fan of the royal family. Could be read to kids, too.
December 7, 2022
Full review here: https://theresnoenjoymentlikereading....
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews