STILL IN CHARGE
SHE was just 21 and four years shy of becoming monarch when she pledged her life to the service of her people – and she’s more than lived up to that promise in the unprecedented seven decades she’s been on the throne.
Now, as Queen Elizabeth celebrates her historic platinum jubilee, the world is honouring a remarkable woman who’s put duty above all else, setting aside her family troubles while she fulfils her vow of being a working monarch for life.
In tribute to her 70 years on the throne, royal author Robert Hardman has released a new book, Queen of our Time: The Life of Elizabeth II, and in this extract he provides fascinating insight into the queen in the roller-coaster months preceding her jubilee year.
The queen may be 96 and growing increasingly frail but, as Hardman says, “she’s still very much in charge”.
“The queen has ultimate authority. And she always will.”
AT TWO minutes past midday on 9 April last year, the queen announced “with deep sorrow” the death of her beloved husband. The longest love story and partnership in royal history
