This is a photographic record of the British Royal Family from 1901 (the death of Queen Victoria) to the modern day. Showcasing six monarchs, The Royals will take the reader through every major era of the 20th century – through two World Wars, the generational expansion of the Royal Family in the 1980s and 1990s, the tragic death of Princess Diana in 1997, and the rejuvenation of the Royals under Princes Wills and Harry.
I’m liking
Well…what’s not to like? If you are a fan of the royal family that is.
This is a heavy coffee table style book packed full of lovely photographs. While many of us will be currently enamoured with the young royals – it’s the older photos that are probably the most fascinating…the younger photos of the Queen and Princess Margaret and the fascinating generation before with King Edward VIII, Wallis Simpson and the abdication and King George VI (Colin Firth of course) and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother).
There’s not too much text – enough to have a little read for a page or two for context in each chapter and then a good lot of admiring pictures (and reading captions).
I confess I am a bit of a fan of the Royals – or at least I am utterly fascinated by the weird set up that is their existence and jobs that come with birth. Let’s face it – over the centuries there have been a few that have read the job description, but a great deal more colourful characters. This book is a nice journey through a century with them.
There’s a good family tree, the info is good and the photos are great.
Things that made me go hmmmm
There’s nothing to make you go hmmm (although a few captions were on wrong photos) the real issue is that at $49.00 RRP you’d have to be a real fan to buy it.
If you’re that fan – jolly good ol’ thing.
The conclusion
Lovely (little) read, lovely company and lovely pics! A happy coffee table book for ardent royal fans.
