The life of the Queen is pretty much a history of the twentieth century in Britain. Born in 1926, the Queen has had about 16 Prime Ministers, lost an Empire and gained a Commonwealth, as a Princess she took part in the VE day celebrations that ended WWII, she's met presidents, popes and other royalty, and she just keeps going. Pimlott's book details some of the absurdities of royal life and tradition - such as a certain member of parliament being at the birth of heirs to the throne, a practise now ended - as well as the more intimate moments of the royal family, without being salacious or gossipy. This is no tell all expose, it's a measured, very readable historical account that places the Queen at the heart of a steady, rarely changing institution. It's only a shame that the biography ends at 2002, on a sad note - the last events of note being the deaths of Princess Margaret and the Queen Mother. The new chapters are interesting in that they break away somewhat from the standard biography to look back over history to find parallels with older monarchs to explain how and why they hold so much fascination. The chapters covering Diana's death and the massive public outpouring of grief are gripping, and they quite rightly question why everyone cared so much. Pimlott also highlighted how the Queen became more accepting of change after Diana's death, and how the monarchy began to embrace the Diana way of doing things, such as being more hands on when among the public.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother lived into her 102nd year. If Elizabeth II is as long-lived as her mother there should be a good deal more to say in future editions of the book, which I look forward to eagerly. I wonder what Pimlott would have to say about the Duchess of York's recent transgressions?
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