Royal history gifts

An absolutely delicious, compulsively readable, stylish novel about a young aristocratic woman, who has to choose between duty and her heart - think The Crown meets Taylor Jenkins Reid. 'I loved it. I devoured every page of this glorious novel.' Holly Ringland Lexi Villiers is a 29-year-old Englishwoman doing her medical residency in Hobart, working too hard, worried about her bank balance, and living with...

‘Tom Bower is the Inspector Morse of investigative biographers, a fluent, phlegmatic storyteller and a master of intricacies.’ Sunday Times The British Crown is in crisis, with constitutional threats at home and abroad. At a landmark moment in royal history, can King Charles overcome the scandals that blight the Royal family? Can the broken bonds between the Houses of Sussex...

This brilliant new book explores the lives of eight generations of the greatest kings and queens that this country has ever seen, and the worst. The Plantagenets – their story is the story of Britain. England’s greatest royal dynasty, the Plantagenets, ruled over England through eight generations of kings. Their remarkable reign saw England emerge from the Dark Ages to...

A seriously FUNNY, seriously CLEVER history of our early kings and queens by one of our favourite comedians and cultural commentators. This will be the most refreshing, entertaining history of England you'll have ever read. Certainly, the funniest. Because David Mitchell will explain how it is not all names, dates or ungraspable historical headwinds, but instead show how it's really...

The Sunday Times #1 Bestseller A Book of the Year in The Times and Financial Times ‘This isn’t a book; it’s a case for revolution’ — Camilla Long, Sunday Times ‘A damning cannonball of truth through the York ramparts’ — Mail on Sunday ‘Surely has a claim to the title of book of the year, for its seismic impact’ —...

The Sunday Times No. 1 Bestseller, Now with a Brand New Final Chapter 'Explosive' The Sun'Accounts from insiders who have never spoken before' The Times'Bombshell' The Mirror The British Royal Family believed that the dizzy success of the Sussex wedding, watched and celebrated around the world, was the beginning of a new era for the Windsors. Yet, within one tumultuous...

A rattling page-turner... As a personal insight into one boy's life in an extraordinary spotlight, it may never be better. Sunday Times Memoir of the Year It was one of the images of the twentieth century: two boys walking behind the coffin of their mother, Princess Diana. Billions wondered what the princes must be feeling—and how their lives would play...

From the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Princess Diana, the world's most loved princess. Known for her kind-hearted nature from a young age, Diana touched the hearts of many. She was working as a primary school teacher when she met Prince Charles, and they married in front of millions of people. With...

Filled with sparkling anecdotes and tales of living life to the full, featuring previously unseen photographs from Lady Glenconner's personal collection. Lady Anne Glenconner, Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Margaret and Maid of Honour at the Queen's Coronation, returns with a rich, sparkling memoir told through an A to Z of her life. From affairs of the heart and Basil's Bar to...

In this book from the critically acclaimed Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch of modern times. Little Elizabeth loved dogs and horses and dreamt of living on a farm. But, one day, she heard chants on the streets. Her uncle Edward had renounced the crown, which meant her father would be...

The final novel in the spellbinding Tudor novels series from Sunday Times bestselling author, Philippa Gregory The Last Tudor explores the dramatic story of Jane Grey, who was Queen of England for nine days. As her father and his conspirators utilised her position as cousin to the deceased king, they placed her on the throne ahead of the king’s half-sister...

Princess Diana: A Little Golden Book Biography by Sonali Fry and illustrated by Hollie Hibbert offers a captivating glimpse into the life of one of the world's most beloved figures. This beautifully illustrated book chronicles the journey of Diana Spencer from her early years to becoming the Princess of Wales, capturing key moments that defined her legacy. With its simple...

The first joint biography of William and Catherine to be written in over a decade, by acclaimed royal journalist and broadcaster Russell Myers. From the relentless media scrutiny and controversies of their 2022 Caribbean Tour to the shock cancer diagnoses of both the Princess of Wales and the King, this captivating biography by acclaimed royal journalist Russell Myers intimately traces...

'A brilliant, funny and thought-provoking book' - Jonn Elledge 'Compelling, provocative, and utterly brilliant' - Dr Estelle Paranque THIS PAPERBACK FEATURES ADDITIONAL MATERIAL ON HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II How the monarchs of England and Scotland met their deaths has been a wonderful mixture of violence, infections, overindulgence and occasional regicide. In Mortal Monarchs, medical historian Dr Suzie Edge examines...

In Thomas Cromwell, Diarmaid MacCulloch offers an unrivalled exploration of one of Tudor England’s most enigmatic and influential figures. From his humble beginnings in Putney to his meteoric rise within the court of Henry VIII, Cromwell's life is a testament to the power and peril of ambition. Firmly rooted in historical context, this biography delves into the intricate and often...

Journey back to the world of the Tudors with the celebrated children's history series. Winter has come; and in a far distant land, a warrior queen is expecting a child... Step through these pages into the Tudor world—a dangerous place where one misstep could cost your life. Through the eyes of Henry VIII's six very different queens, from a brave...

Thirty-five beautiful girls. Thirty-five beautiful rivals…And only one will claim Prince Maxon’s heart.THE SELECTION is the epic no. 1 New York Times bestselling series. Now available in a five-book boxed set. THE SELECTION is the chance of a lifetime and 17-year-old America Singer should feel lucky. She has been chosen for the reality TV lottery in which the special few...

Crown & Sceptre by Tracy Borman is an extraordinary exploration of the British monarchy, tracing its history and evolution from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the present day. This meticulously researched book delves into the lives and reigns of the numerous kings and queens who have shaped the monarchy over the centuries. By examining key events and pivotal moments,...

A stunning new story of Queen Victoria's secret love for her servant John Brown, by the acclaimed historian Fern Riddell. 'So often I told him no one loved him more than I did ... and he answered, "Nor you than me. No-one loves you more" ...' From the moment John Brown arrived as a servant to Queen Victoria's household, he...

The first joint biography of the women who have shaped - and shaken - the modern Royal Family. Diana. Camilla. Catherine. Meghan. Outsiders by birth, insiders by marriage. Four women united by their decision to enter the most famous family in the world, and by their place in the centre of its greatest upheavals. From Diana's emotional revolution to Camilla's...

Globally famous and yet universally misunderstood – these are the complex and utterly engrossing stories of Britain's royal women behind the public façade. Saints or sinners? Perfect princesses or difficult duchesses? Monarchy’s saviours or its destroyers? They rank among the world’s most famous women – and the most misunderstood. Throughout history, royal women have been sanitised and sanctified by supporters,...

'(A)sensational book by one of our greatest and best-loved historians... Astoundingly good.' - Alison Weir 'Masterful, captivating, page-turning, this is solid gold history at its best.' - Nicola Tallis '(A) thought-provoking, impeccably researched, and moving account uncovering how Anne's family, intellect, and tragedy shaped Elizabeth I's extraordinary career.' - Gareth Russell 'Her extensive research... reveals them as the most dazzling...

'An outstanding work of historical artistry, a brilliantly woven and pacy story of the men who surrounded, influenced and sometimes plagued Henry VIII.' Alison Weir Henry VIII is well known for his tumultuous relationships with women, and he is often defined by his many marriages. But what do we see if we take a different look? When we see Henry...

Revealed for the first time: the true story of the entrapment and deception of Princess Diana The death of Princess Diana in August 1997 was one of the most shocking events in recent history. Many events surrounding the tragedy have been shrouded in mystery, particularly the BBC Panorama interview Diana gave to journalist Martin Bashir less than two years before...

'Certain to become the definitive work' DOUGLAS SMITH 'Elegantly written and magisterially researched' ROBERT SERVICE 'Masterful . . . a chilling lesson' VLADISLAV ZUBOK The definitive story behind the self-destruction of the autocratic Romanov dynasty, by the world's foremost expert. When Tsar Nicholas II fell from power in 1917, Imperial Russia faced a series of overlapping crises, from war to...

Winner of the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography - Andrew Roberts overturns received wisdom on Britain's longest-reigning king. Andrew Roberts's magnificent new biography portrays George as intelligent, benevolent, scrupulously devoted to the constitution of his country and (as head of government as well as head of state) navigating the turbulence of eighteenth-century politics with a strong sense of honour...

The fascinating true story behind HBO's Catherine the Great starring Dame Helen Mirren as Catherine the Great awaits readers in Robert K. Massie's masterful biography. Born into a minor noble family, young Sophia transformed herself into Catherine, Empress of Russia, through sheer determination and political acumen. Her ascent to power is nothing short of extraordinary, marked by strategic marriages, cunning...

True love knows no bounds. Oro Rey was never meant to be king. As the second-born son with a rare and dangerous ability, his upbringing was an endless winter of training and control. When his entire family perishes and the realms are cursed, suddenly the people of Lightlark are his responsibility—and he will do whatever it takes to protect them....

Features over 100 sumptuous images From the birth of the house of Windsor in 1917, its leading women—Queen Mary, the Queen Mother, the Duchess of Windsor, and Queen Elizabeth II—faced abdication and assassination, revolution and the rise of fascism, the threat of invasion and all-out war. Their sartorial decisions, alongside those of their royal husbands, projected power and perpetuity, diplomacy...

A wonderfully fresh, vivid and engaging portrait. — Jane Ridley, author of Bertie: A Life of Edward VII Has much of the abundant charm of its author. — Spectator The glory of this book is in the details. — The Times Worsley's command of the material and elegant writing style make this a must-read. — Publisher's Weekly An intimate glimpse....

From the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of King Charles. Little Charles always knew that, one day, he would have a big job to do. As the son of Queen Elizabeth II, he was a prince, and in the future, he was to inherit the throne of the United Kingdom. As a young...

Alan Carr'A delicious sepia wet dream of a book that had me drooling, swiping right and wanting to buy a time machine' Dawn French'What a treat!' Dita Von Teese 'This book is brilliant fun - capturing the debonair dandyism and sophisticated enigma of some very ruttable gentleman of the time'Feast your eyes upon the most gentlemanly brows, chiselled jawlines and...

For over two decades, Paul Burrell was a silent witness to the making of history - first as footman to Queen Elizabeth II, then as butler to King Charles III (then Prince of Wales), and, most famously, as a confidante of the late Princess Diana. Now, with a unique perspective shaped by time and change, he's ready to share his...

Fabulous historical novel set in the court of King Henry VIII. Mary Boleyn attracts the attention of the young king and becomes his mistress; when he tires of her, she sets out to school her sister, Anne, as a replacement. Politics and passion are inextricably bound together in this compelling drama. The Boleyn family is keen to rise through the...

LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION WATERSTONES' BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: HISTORY The boldly original, dramatic intertwined story of Catherine de’ Medici, Elisabeth de Valois and Mary, Queen of Scots – three queens exercising power in a world dominated by men. 'Alluring, gripping, real: an astonishing insight into the lives of three queens' — ALICE ROBERTS 'Takes us...

THE SCANDALOUS TRUTH BEHIND THE CROWN From the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography From Elizabeth II to soon-to-be King William, The Windsor Legacy offers a riveting exploration of the British monarchy's resilience and influence over the past century, looking at its key players and conflicts, with a forward-looking examination of its future....

The life of Father Joseph, Cardinal Richelieu's aide, was a monstrous paradox. After spending his days directing operations on the battlefield, Father Joseph would pass the night in prayer, or in composing spiritual guidance for the nuns in his care. He was an aspirant to sainthood, a practising mystic, yet his ruthless exercise of power succeeded in prolonging the Thirty...

Marie Antoinette's dramatic life story continues to arouse mixed emotions. To many people, she is still 'la reine méchante', whose extravagance and frivolity helped to bring down the French monarchy; her indifference to popular suffering epitomised by the (apocryphal) words: 'let them eat cake'. Others are equally passionate in her defence: to them, she is a victim of misogyny. In...

Ravensburger 4 x 500 Piece Puzzle – Happy Days No. 5: Royal Residences Celebrate the grandeur and history of Britain’s most iconic royal landmarks with this stunning 4-in-1 puzzle set from Ravensburger. Each 500-piece puzzle captures a beautifully detailed scene from the Royal Residences - a perfect tribute to the life and heritage of the British Monarchy. Piece together four...

An intensely moving account of George III’s doomed attempt to create a happy, harmonious family, written with astonishing emotional force by a stunning new history writer. George III came to the throne in 1760 as a man with a mission. He was determined to break with the extraordinarily dysfunctional home lives of his Hanoverian predecessors. He was sure that as...

A HISTORY TODAY BOOK OF THE YEAR 'Certain to become the definitive work' DOUGLAS SMITH 'Elegantly written and magisterially researched' ROBERT SERVICE 'Masterful . . . a chilling lesson' VLADISLAV ZUBOK The definitive story behind the self-destruction of the autocratic Romanov dynasty, by the world's foremost expert. When Tsar Nicholas II fell from power in 1917, Imperial Russia faced a...

The Crown meets The West Wing in this illuminating history that chronicles the largely unknown story of Queen Elizabeth II’s relationship with thirteen American presidents, from Harry S. Truman to Donald J. Trump. With that, she changed the world. No American or foreign leader has met with as many sitting presidents as Queen Elizabeth II. Her Royal Majesty’s seventy-year reign...

In little more than fifty years, the regard with which the Royal Family are held has changed out of all recognition. Their private lives are now the stuff of soap opera, and it seems anyone who comes into contact with them sells their story to magazines or newspapers. Marion Crawford, 'Crawfie', as she was known to the Queen and Princess...

A ground-breaking and essential work of history – the first of its kind to closely examine the British Royal Family’s connection with the transatlantic slave trade. The Crown's Silence is the untold story of the British royal family’s relationship to slavery from the reign of Elizabeth I to the present. It will be the first history of the British monarchy...

In the Shadow of the Empress is the sweeping family saga of beautiful Maria Theresa, the only woman to inherit and rule the vast Habsburg empire in her own name, and three of her remarkable daughters: lovely, talented Maria Christina, governor general of the Austrian Netherlands; spirited Maria Carolina, the resolute queen of Naples; and the youngest, Marie Antoinette, the...

A universally praised, richly enjoyable new history of medieval France. One of the great epics of Europe's history, the story of the rise and rise of the Capetian dynasty dominates the Middle Ages. Starting in the tenth century from an insecure foothold around Paris, the Capetians built a nation that stretched from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and from the...

The fifteenth century experienced the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands violently five times as the great families of England fought to the death for the right to rule. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these chaotic years. Yet efforts were made to...

The Sunday Times Bestseller The Times and Sunday Times Best Memoir of 2024… 'Genius' A Book of the Year for the Spectator, Mail on Sunday, New Statesman, Financial Times, Independent, Telegraph, Sunday Express and The Tablet. From one of the funniest writers of our time, the award-winning author of One Two Three Four and Ma'am Darling turns his attention to...

The instant No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller, updated with exclusive new material. 'Scoops aplenty are here . . . An irresistible insider account of momentous royal events' - Melanie Reid, The Times 'Fascinating . . . the book everyone is talking about' - Daily Mail By the acclaimed royal biographer and commentator Robert Hardman, Charles III is an intimate portrait...

Penguin Classics relaunch Exclusive to Penguin Classics – the definitive text of Shaw's powerful historical drama about Joan of Arc, which led him to win the Nobel Prize for Literature – part of the official Bernard Shaw Library. A Penguin Classic With Saint Joan, which distils many of the ideas Shaw had been exploring in earlier works on politics, religion,...

Selected for The Best Cookery Books to Give This Year, Daily Mail The Best of the Year's Cookbooks, The Spectator "A lovely book of scrumptious dishes." — Alexandra Shulman "In his own inimitably engaging way, he's blended history, monarchy and gastronomy, bringing to life more than 200 years of royal food." — Country Life "With unique access to centuries of...

The author of She-Wolves chronicles the lives and reigns of Richard II and Henry IV, two cousins whose rivalry brought their nation to the brink of disintegration - and back again. Richard of Bordeaux and Henry Bolingbroke were first cousins, born just three months apart. Their lives were entwined from the beginning. When they were still children, Richard was crowned...

American Royals meets Elite in this contemporary YA set in a glamorous boarding school where four teens compete to inherit a European kingdom. For fifty years, King Leander Eldana has ruled Ashland without naming an heir to the crown. After sending away his grandchildren to be raised out of the public eye, it's finally time to secure his nation's future...

Illuminating -- Elizabeth Beller 'A meticulous feat of research and reporting' -- Kate Storey The story of two iconic dynasties—the Kennedys and the Windsors—whose glamour and ambition defined an era. Reveals never-before examined stories about Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Princess Diana, Prince Harry, JFK, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, Robert Kennedy Jr., and many others. For fans of...

PLUTARCH AWARD FOR THE BEST BIOGRAPHY OF 2024 SHORTLISTED FOR THE DUFF COOPER PRIZE ‘SUBLIME’ A NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 ‘STUNNINGLY GOOD’ THE TIMES BEST HISTORY BOOKS 2024 ‘COMPULSIVE’ A PROSPECT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 ‘BRILLIANT’ A SPECTATOR BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024 From the winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize, an extraordinary story of the...

The bestselling book that inspired the Oscar and BAFTA award-winning film. One man saved the British Royal Family in the first decades of the 20th century - amazingly he was an almost unknown, and certainly unqualified, speech therapist called Lionel Logue. Logue wasn't a British aristocrat or even an Englishman - he was a commoner and an Australian to boot....

The Queen by Michelle Morgan offers a warm and nostalgic biography of the powerhouse monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. Written by an experienced biographer, this book is structured around 100 vignettes, inviting readers into an intimate telling of key moments from her long life. Many of the stories within relate to significant milestones such as her wedding to Prince Philip, the...

A landmark reinterpretation of the life of William the Conqueror—a pivotal figure in British and European history "[The] definitive biography of the man who forever changed England with his invasion of 1066."—Tony Barber, “Best books of 2016," Financial Times In this magisterial addition to the Yale English Monarchs series, David Bates combines biography and a multidisciplinary approach to examine the...

A landmark contribution to understanding the real man behind the heroic legend inspired by the triumph at Waterloo The Duke of Wellington was not just Britain’s greatest soldier, although his seismic struggles as leader of the Allied forces against Napoleon in the Peninsular War deservedly became the stuff of British national legend. Wellington was much more: a man of vision...

One of Britain's most distinguished biographers turns her focus on one of the most vilified women of the twentieth century. Historian Anne Sebba has written the first full biography by a woman of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor. That Woman, as she was referred to by the Queen Mother, became a hate figure for ensnaring a British king and destabilising...

'This second volume of memoirs is as fascinating as the first....full of wit, joy, vivid vignettes and useful insights...she has another bestseller on her hands' India Knight, Sunday Times 'It's great to have another memoir from Lady Glenconner . . . as open-minded and entertaining as she clearly is' Lynn Barber, Sunday Telegraph 'A jolly anecdote for every day of...

A picture book series about the extraordinary men and women who have shaped Australian history, including St Mary MacKillop. Mary MacKillop is Australia's first saint. Mary was born in the 1800s and devoted her life to teaching children. She believed everyone should have the chance to learn, no matter how rich or poor they are. In 1866, she set up...

Meet every king and queen in the history of Britain in this lively comic-strip guide from award-winning author-illustrator Marcia Williams. From medieval monarchs to the newly crowned King Charles III, join award-winning author-illustrator Marcia Williams on an entertaining guide to every king and queen of Britain. Discover the kings who fought off the Vikings, the queen who spent the longest...

From the moment of her birth to her death on the scaffold, Mary Stuart spent her life embroiled in power struggles that shook the foundations of Renaissance Europe. Revered by some as the rightful Queen of England, reviled by others as a murderous adulteress, her long and fascinating rivalry with her cousin Elizabeth I led ultimately to her downfall. Zweig,...

A stunning collection of essays and memoir from twice Booker Prize winner and international bestseller Hilary Mantel, author of The Mirror and the Light. In 1987, when Hilary Mantel was first published in the London Review of Books, she wrote to the editor, Karl Miller, ‘I have no critical training whatsoever, so I am forced to be more brisk and...

'Full of delightful stories...a wonderful insight into the British obsession with al fresco eating' - Travel Gourmet From the peaks of the Himalayas to the historic grounds of Hampton Court, there’s always a perfect spot for a picnic! Anne Glenconner invites both old friends and new acquaintances to join her in The Picnic Papers. Featuring contributions from Bryan Adams, Graham...

A riotous biography of the charismatic ruler of eighteenth-century Poland and Saxony, and his catastrophic reign. Both King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, Augustus is one of the great what-ifs of the 18th century. He could have turned the accident of ruling two major realms into the basis for a powerful European state—a bulwark against the Russians and a...

Wolf Hall for the Ottoman Empire ... History at its most gripping' Telegraph Venice, 1522. Intelligence arrives from the east confirming Europe's greatest fear: the vastly rich Ottoman Sultan has all he needs to wage total war - and his sights are set on Rome. With Christendom divided, Suleyman the Magnificent has his hand on its throat. From the palaces...

A New York Times Notable Book A deeply textured dual biography and fascinating intellectual history that examines two of the greatest minds of European history—Desiderius Erasmus and Martin Luther—whose heated rivalry gave rise to two enduring, fundamental, and often colliding traditions of philosophical and religious thought. "A masterly work. Massing manages to juggle the complicated biographies and life work of...

Tudors by Peter Ackroyd transports readers back to one of the most fascinating and dramatic periods in British history. Rich in detail and atmosphere, and told in vivid prose, this enthralling narrative captures the transformation of England from a settled Catholic country to a formidable Protestant superpower. The book intricately traces the tumultuous reigns of the Tudor monarchs, beginning with...

From one of the funniest writers of our time, the award-winning and Sunday Times bestselling author of One Two Three Four and Ma'am Darling turns his attention to Queen Elizabeth II in an unforgettable and fascinating biography. Virginia Woolf compared her to a caterpillar; Anne Frank kept pictures of her on the wall of her annex; Jimi Hendrix played her...

The captivating story of Joan of Arc is told by the great underrated writer Vita Sackville-West. The strange story of Joan of Arc, the obscure peasant girl who became the national saint of France, is retold in this celebrated, classic biography. Saint Joan of Arc lives for the reader on every page, as a shepherd girl in a remote part...

A brilliant new cultural history of the Queen of Hearts For more than forty years, Diana, Princess of Wales, has been mythologised to the most extraordinary degree. Adored and lionised by some, ridiculed and traduced by others, Diana has always commanded a cultural presence unmatched by any other member of the royal family. In Dianaworld, Edward White offers both a...

Stefan Zweig based his biography of Marie Antoinette, who became the Queen of France at the age of fifteen, on the correspondence between her and her mother, and her great love, the Count Axel von Fersen. Zweig analyses the chemistry of a woman's soul from her intimate pleasures to her public suffering as a Queen under the weight of misfortune...

Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert K. Massie is an enthralling and meticulously researched biography that captures the life and legacy of one of the most powerful women in history. Massie transports readers back to the 18th century, where an obscure German princess, born Sophia Augusta Frederica of Anhalt-Zerbst, ascended to the Russian throne to become the...

A TLS, TIMES, PROSPECT AND WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR A groundbreaking examination of how the marriage of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn sent shockwaves across a continent and changed England forever. 'In many places, where once we had speculation, we now have certainty. This book is at once an education and a joy to read' LITERARY REVIEW 'Combines meticulously...