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Elizabeth cover art

Elizabeth

By: Gyles Brandreth
Narrated by: Gyles Brandreth
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE NO 1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER NOW FEATURING EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL ABOUT CHARLES III's CORONATION

A personal account of the life and character of Britain's longest-reigning monarch, from the writer who knew her family best

Gyles Brandreth first met the Queen in 1968, when he was twenty.

Over the next fifty years he met her many times, both at public and at private events. Through his friendship with the Duke of Edinburgh, he was given privileged access to Elizabeth II.

He kept a record of all those encounters, and his conversations with the Queen over the years, his meetings with her family and friends, and his observations of her at close quarters are what make this very personal account of her extraordinary life uniquely fascinating.

From her childhood in the 1920s to the era of Harry and Meghan in the 2020s, from her war years at Windsor Castle to her death at Balmoral, this is both a record of a tumultuous century of royal history and a truly intimate portrait of a remarkable woman.

Enjoy this special edition now featuring an exclusive postscript about King Charles III's Coronation.

©2022 Gyles Brandreth (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

'Compelling . . . Fascinating' DAILY MAIL

'The writer who got closest to the human truth about our long-serving senior royals' THE TIMES

'The book overflows with nuggets of insider knowledge' TELEGRAPH

What listeners say about Elizabeth

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An outstanding book

This has been such a splendid book. Gyles is simply a joy to listen to. It has been lovely to hear such interesting stories about The Queen told with first hand knowledge. Brilliant.

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A marvellous overview of an incredible life

Wonderfully researched and written and read by Gyles, if you’re after an accurate overview of the Queens life then you’re in the right place. Perhaps a little matter of fact in places but I imagine hard to avoid as so much of her life was kept very private but you will still leave this book with a smile on your face and your heart a little fuller for it.

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Enjoyable, interesting - not ground breaking

A lot of people have said that there’s very little new in this book. That might be true if you’ve read his Phillip book and have a decent knowledge of the royal family already - but I learned a lot - particularly about The Queen’s ancestors - and I found it all very interesting. However there are also a lot of recollections of not very exciting conversations - which don’t really tell you much about the real queen. I suppose that’s because the people who really knew her aren’t going to be disclosing that info! Also - you do get the feeling this is rather one sided - particularly when it comes to mentioned of Charles and Camilla - where Gyles borders on Uria Heap levels of obsequiousness. Still - I’m very fond of Gyles - he’s an engaging reader I enjoy everything he does and if you’re interested in the royals or were a fan of HM this is worth a listen. Enjoyed it very much

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Absolutely brilliant

Excellent account from a person who not only seems to have known Queen Elizabeth 2 well but shows respect for her too.
Really well read and a fabulous account.
A must read

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Recommended

Thankyou Charles It was a very interesting and respectful book. The queen deserved the best after all she gave too us. Thankyou Queen Elizabeth x

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Excellent picture of this remarkable woman

Giles writes so simply and his reading on the audiobook is with feeling and conviction.

So nice to hear an intimate and honest commentary, done with respect and affection of the inside story of Queen Elizabeth 11.

I also admire the fact that he waited for her death, out of respect too.

Thoroughly recommend this audiobook.

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Beautiful

Some people will say that Gyles is over doing how nice The Queen was. I personally think that this book was beautiful. Yes there are some stories I've heard in the past. However, it's lovely to be reminded of what an ambassador The.Queen, and her family are for the UK and Commonwealth.

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The Queen……

What a great listen, a small insight into Her Late Majesty’s world, the author has a voice and manner that is easy and enjoyable

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Very enlightening

Thoroughly enjoyed this great book by Giles his narration brought it fully to life, excellent.

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Beautiful

Excellent book and fantastically read, how we will all miss her so very much xxx

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