Philip Hensher

The trivial details about royalty are what really fascinate us

Craig Brown’s focus on specifics that other biographers would consider beneath them brings rich rewards

The future Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral in 1952 with one of her corgis. [Getty Images] 
issue 31 August 2024

For the moment, can there be anything new to say about Elizabeth II? In time, the archives will open up and more of her correspondence and any of the diary we know she kept will be made available to the public. (I wouldn’t get too excited – no monarch’s diary since Victoria’s has had much to tell us about its writer).

GIF Image

Disagree with half of it, enjoy reading all of it

TRY 3 MONTHS FOR $5
Our magazine articles are for subscribers only. Start your 3-month trial today for just $5 and subscribe to more than one view

Comments

Join the debate for just £1 a month

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.

Already a subscriber? Log in