AS HE PUBLISHES HIS PLATINUM JUBILEE PICTURE BOOK SIR MICHAEL MORPURGO THE BEST-SELLING ‘WAR HORSE’ AUTHOR TELLS US WHY THE QUEEN’S REIGN IS A TRUE FAIRYTALE
‘The Queen’s done over and beyond the call of duty and we’ve all benefited from it’
He is one of Britain’s best-loved storytellers, captivating young readers over the years with his tales of courage and kindness, history and love.
So when the organisers of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant decided to commission a book to commemorate the Queen’s milestone 70 years on the throne, Sir Michael Morpurgo was their first choice.
There Once is a Queen is the 78-year-old War Horse author’s homage to Her Majesty, covering her life from a small girl to 96-year-old great-grandmother and the longest-reigning female monarch in history.
Reluctant to write a biography – “we’ve all seen The Crown” – Michael instead created a 62-page fairytale, with beautiful illustrations by Michael Foreman, about an unnamed Princess who unexpectedly becomes Queen.
AN ADMIRABLE LIFE
“The reason it’s a good fairy story is because she was not meant to be one and everyone respects the fact – even if they’re not monarchists – that this extraordinary young, in our exclusive photoshoot and interview.
