Queen of Our Times
The Life of Elizabeth II
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Queen of Our Times
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Narrated by:
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Robert Hardman
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By:
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Robert Hardman
About this listen
A Sunday Times Book of the Year
Queen of Our Times, read by the author, is the definitive biography of Queen Elizabeth II by one of Britain’s leading royal authorities, Robert Hardman. This commemorative edition includes an epilogue reflecting upon Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, her passing and her funeral.
With fascinating revelations from those who knew her best and special access to unseen royal papers granted by Elizabeth II herself, author and royal expert Robert Hardman explores the full, astonishing life of our longest reigning monarch in this authoritative yet intimate biography.
The book also charts the way in which the Queen raised the future King Charles III as both son and heir.
Elizabeth was not born to be queen, being third in line to the throne. Yet from her accession as a young mother of two in 1952 to the age of Covid-19, she proved an astute and quietly determined figure, leading her family and her people through more than seventy years of unprecedented social change. She faced constitutional crises, confronted threats against her life, unified the Commonwealth, saw fifteen British prime ministers come and go, charmed world leaders, and steered her family through a lifetime in the public eye. Her Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in June 2022 and her death mourned months later, both events a reminder of the huge impact she had made.
Queen of Our Times is a must-listen study of dynastic survival and renewal, spanning abdication, war, romance, danger and tragedy. It is a compelling portrait of a leader whose legacy of steadfast service lives on.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2022 Macmillan Publishers International Limited (P)2022 Macmillan Publishers International LimitedCritic Reviews
'Sensational' – Kirsty Young, The Platinum Pageant (BBC)
What listeners say about Queen of Our Times
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- desleighjane
- 16-01-2023
Very Fair Approach Taken
Gave details of key events in chronological format and in context.
Commonsense approach to history.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 26-09-2022
Brilliant historical memoir...
By chance I came across this on hearing of Queen Elizabeth’s passing, September 2022.
So between the latest family preparations, social media forums depicting body language, dramas etc I chose to “devour this” in an attempt to understand more about her life, family & global service. Her love of family, duty, generosity of spirit extended no matter the creed. Hence the reason for outpouring of love from all corners of the world that goes beyond respecting “the throne”, United Kingdom, Commonwealth etc.
The narrative commences with warmth in her family from the beginning, protection of Margaret, father, mother. Such a solid foundation for love of family, country, corgis helped shape the girl into the woman. Particularly with a strong partner by her side. Prince Phillip truly was her Prince Charming from a young age, young love, heady just like any person smitten. Hence Elizabeth the Princess is relatable. And curious about the world, eager to understand. Sensitive to those not in a position of privilege & again this balance steers through the chapters.
The young girls offering hope during the war to the children via radio broadcast.
Signing up in the war to be of service just like everyone else in a desire to protect their land, home, security.
Writing letters of sympathy to those that had lost fallen members.
Such actions help explain why such an outpouring of love exists towards herself that crosses generations.
Welcoming leaders with sincerity. Eagerness to listen, display comfort through smiles by introducing the corgis as a tool of conversation, observation & relaxation. Reading up on their country so dialogue flows. Hence again her commitment to serve included her generosity to host, understand & expand connections through a constant Duty of Care. No matter the leader, politics. Ability to charm that was her authenticity.
In good times. In hostile times. Navigating prime ministers, public popularity polls, family dramas she reigned with poise, steadiness & beauty. She dressed to suit herself knowing the people came to see her & so she needed to be seen in a crowd, so someone in a crowd could say “ I saw the Queen”. Colours were bright, jewellery reflected hidden messages re country or personnel & for the most part a twinkle in her eye ever present.
She steered her family through the storms. She changed legislation so that the the heirs apparent children ( then Prince William) would be next in line, irrespective of gender. Altering a centuries old law. She moved with the times reflecting her understanding public perception however while change was required knew some foundations kept to keep balance, harmony, trust. Respect.
For those who reflect racism prevails as a foundation to colonialism listen to the chapter the author reveals when she first met Nelson Mandela. The genuine warmth & respect between 2 leaders that persisted during her tour to South Africa, later whenever he was in London, warmly welcomed to the palace that goes beyond civilities. Same goes for the recollection of encounters with the Obama Family. Genuine affection, loving respect openly displayed on multiple occasions.
So many other events. However Roberts book for me was a journey, a wonderful journey through time, events. History. Global history. Right. Wrong. Good. Bad. No system is perfect. Nor is any family. Nor all partnerships. Some are worth preserving while others, sooner or later cut your losses for the health of the new seedlings to flourish.
So I read with awe. The narration flows & easy to understand. Stop and reflect. Having stood outside Buckingham Palace as a 13 yr old, watched the changing of the guard & travelled to Windsor & St. George’s Chapel, I began to feel reconnected with my heritage of the “old country”. Pride that a woman meant so much to so many people around the world for her curiosity of life, love of family and country that drove her enduring optimism & “ her sense of duty” no matter what life presented. We can all learn from her legacy no matter the education, location, culture. Be prepared to listen, share, respect regardless of faith. However don’t change for the sake of change to appease a poll. Change to include diversity, comfort, support. A modern queen using technology to deliver upbeat messages of hope, salvation during cvd19 evidence of thoughtful, modern service.
I loved Roberts book. I understood more about her drive, her family connections. Trials & tribulations. Adventures. Deep sorrows. Hence why the world mourns. A time that’s gone. A generation gone. Still she would be pleased with the cheers of the crowds in the end. The long queues. The pomp and ceremony of the Commonwealth Bands. No one does ceremony like the Poms!
A true celebration of her life, extraordinary. A new era, King Charles. May his reign be wonderful and just as welcome ( from what I’ve seen re people eager to clasp his hand & that of Prince W) the monarchy continues smoothly in its authenticity of solid service.
I can’t wait for the authors new book on the next reign. 🙏🇦🇺
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- DixieChick
- 30-09-2022
Brilliant read
A great biography of an extraordinary woman and our beloved Queen: listened a few days after her death and found it revelatory, informative and fair. Also learned a lot of new things about the Queen and the House of Windsor. Highly recommend it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dona
- 06-11-2022
A Wonderful Insight Of Her Majesty
This book was sitting in my library for quite a while. I only wish I had read it before Queen Elizabeth had died. Such a wonderful lady and queen. She will be missed. I wonder if their will be an update of the book.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ewa Doherty
- 21-08-2022
Very interesting
Quite interesting and like a history lesson of a very remarkable individual. It was really good
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Derek Ironside-Hughes
- 04-04-2024
Love the Queen
Robert Hardman is the expert on the Royal Family, superbly written and wonderfully spoken by the author himself. I just listened to the book he recently wrote about Charles the 3rd and now this classic on the Queen. I have lived through this history, growing up in England, it so brought the times back and actually gave me goosebumps especially when Lady Diana died, the book is a masterpiece of history. I loved the Queen and shed many a tear when we lost her, she was an incredible lady and Queen that will never be forgotten. If you like History and British History this is the book for you.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Non.Mouse.
- 21-01-2024
Comprehensive , well researched
Really good , well researched book, Opened my eyes to the value of the monarchy as a valuable diplomatic resource. I’m glad the Queen fought so hard for the Commonwealth. how anybody could think this family is racist is beyond me. I am so glad I listened to this excellent book.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymon
- 22-01-2024
Started out well. Was too long
I enjoyed the history at the beginning.
Eventually however the constant praise of HM became boring and irritating. No-one is perfect, including the late Queen.
Some issues are glossed over.
It was not true that Prince Phillip ‘immediately apologised’ after the crash at 97 years of age. Quite the opposite.
About 3/4 way through I thought ‘get on with it.’
‘Finding Freedom’ was a totally biased book written with input from the Sussex’s, even though they denied that at first. No use quoting that rubbish.
One from this author is enough.
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